Written answers

Wednesday, 4 April 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Ombudsman Commission

11:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made with regard to the establishment of the Garda Ombudsman Commission; the number of staff recruited to date; when he expects that the Commission will begin dealing with complaints from the public; his views on the long delay in getting the office up and running, in view on the fact that the legislation was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12919/07]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has undertaken an extensive programme of work in order to commence operations and significant progress has been made in this regard. A new building has been sourced in Dublin City Centre and is currently being fitted out. The recruitment and training of staff is far advanced and 58 of the 81 staff approved for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission are currently in place.

The Garda Ombudsman will be open to deal with complaints from the general public on 9th May 2007.

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.

Having regard to the timelines noted in the Report of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 Implementation Review Group (the Hayes Report) and that the time required by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the Independent Police Complaints Commission in England and Wales to commence operations was up to 15 months, I am satisfied that the Commission's progress in becoming operational is in line with general expectations.

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