Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 228: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a definitive date has been set for the Garda Ombudsman Commission to begin its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20174/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioners were appointed by the President on the 10th February 2006, following nomination by the Government and recommendations by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Commission is in a preparatory stage at present. I understand that the initial work of the Commission has involved study visits to their counterparts in Northern Ireland and the UK and initial meetings with the various stakeholders involved in the Garda complaints system, such as Garda management, the Garda representative bodies and officials of my Department.

This process is aimed at enabling the Commission to establish principles regarding its approach to investigating complaints and to work on the development of operational protocols with the Garda Síochána. Consultations are also on-going between the Commissioners, my Department and the Department of Finance in regard to staffing matters. The Commission is aiming to be in a position to receive complaints as soon as possible in 2007.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 229: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if premises have been acquired or staff recruited for the Garda Ombudsman Commission; the details of such premises or staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20175/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission with the help of the Office of Public Works is in the process of identifying suitable premises for their Dublin Headquarters. Work is also underway to put in place regional offices in Longford and Roscrea. The Commission is in consultation with my Department and the Department of Finance regarding the numbers and grading of their required staff. The Commission has also had preliminary meetings with the Public Appointments Commission on the mechanisms required for recruiting these staff.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 230: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown of the proposed annual budget for the Garda Ombudsman Commission giving details of salaries and consultancy fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20176/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This year's Estimates have allocated a provision of approximately €10m for the initial requirements of the Ombudsman Commission in 2006 which I believe will adequately meet their needs. Of this allocation, approximately €3.5m is provided for salaries with the balance being in respect of accommodation, Information Technology and general operating expenses. The annual budget for the Ombudsman Commission will be determined each year in consultation with the Minister for Finance as part of the annual Estimates process.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 231: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a detailed schedule of all expenses incurred to date in setting up the Garda Ombudsman Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20177/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This year's Estimates have allocated a budget of approximately €10m for 2006 to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. It is envisaged that the main demands on this provision will be pay, accommodation and Information Technology. The following table sets out the schedule of all expenses incurred by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission from 1 January to 30 April 2006.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases that will be assessed by the Garda Ombudsman Commission in its first full year of operation; if he has set targets in this respect for the Commission; the structures he has put in place or will put in place to monitor the efficiency of the Commission's work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20178/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to directly and independently investigate complaints against members of the Force. It may also refer complaints to the Garda Commissioner for investigation with or without supervision. The Ombudsman Commission is empowered to investigate any matter, even where no complaint has been made, where it appears that a Garda may have committed an offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings. It is also empowered to investigate any practice, policy or procedure of the Garda Síochána with a view to reducing the incidence of related complaints. The Ombudsman Commission can also have complaints referred to them from either myself or the Garda Commissioner.

It is not possible to estimate the number of complaints which the Ombudsman Commission will receive, but the last figure that the Garda Complaints Board have given, in their 2005 annual report, has shown that they received a total of 1173 complaints in that year. It will be a matter for the Ombudsman Commission to determine the number of complaints which they will investigate directly and the number they will refer to the Garda Commissioner for investigation. Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 sets out the procedures governing the Commission's accountability to the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Public Accounts Committee and the Oireachtas. As the Commission is funded by my Department, the Secretary General of the Department, as Accounting Officer, is accountable for such expenditure through all the usual mechanisms of the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts.