Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes he proposes to make to An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27154/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have no proposals to make any changes to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. However, discussions have been taking place between the Commission and my Department for some time regarding certain amendments to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 proposed by the Commission. This is against the background of the Report made by the Commission pursuant to section 80(2) in the Act and the changes which, in the light of its experience to date, the Commission believe will contribute to its greater effectiveness in the use of its resources and operational efficiency.

Details of the amendments are set out in the recently published Report under that section by the Commission which it launched on 1 May, 2008 in conjunction with its second Annual Report. Two of the most significant changes concern the Commission's power to conduct preliminary enquiries and the power to exercise greater discretion about what constitutes an appropriate and proportional investigation into a complaint. Both Reports have been laid before each house of the Oireachtas in accordance with section 80(6) of the Act. I hope to obtain Government approval shortly for the drafting of Bill amending the 2005 Act.