Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions No. 398 and 434 of 22 November 2011, if he will publish the legislative proposals suggested by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission referred therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7759/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Legislative proposals which are designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission were included in its Two Year (2008) and Five-Year Report (2011) produced in accordance with section 80 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. For details of the proposals concerned, the Deputy may wish to consult these reports which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

As the Deputy will no doubt agree, it is necessary to strike the correct balance between the effectiveness and efficiency of police oversight and the other objectives of the Ombudsman Commission as set out in the 2005 Act. Preliminary discussions have taken place between the Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Síochána with a view to advancing the Ombudsman Commission's proposals in this area. In addition, I met the newly appointed members of the Ombudsman Commission in January and, following that meeting, they are now engaged in a review of the operations of the organisation with a view to submitting a paper to me on all relevant issues, including their proposed legislative amendments. I expect to receive the document from the Ombudsman Commission before the summer recess. Ultimately, any legislative amendments which are being brought forward in this area will require amendment of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and, accordingly, formal legislative proposals will be presented to the Oireachtas for debate and consideration in the usual way.