Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources he will give GSOC in view of its planned additional duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19264/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission that their current whole time equivalent staffing level is 75.6. This figure does not include the three members of the Commission or members of the Garda Síochána on secondment with GSOC.

As with the Public Service generally, GSOC has been subject to staffing constraints, and has had to prioritise work and manage resources with maximum efficiency. However, there are a number of developments currently under way which will have to be taken into account in this regard.

At my request, and following a decision by Government, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is reviewing the effectiveness of the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and Regulations made under the Act insofar as they relate to the oversight of the Garda Síochána and the powers and remit of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

It is also the case that the Government has agreed that an appropriate amendment be made to the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 to enable GSOC to be prescribed under that Bill as a body to which disclosures may be made by members of the Garda Síochána.

More generally, the Government at its meeting on 25 March 2014 reiterated its commitment to the reform of Garda oversight and accountability, which will include the establishment of an independent Garda authority appropriate to Ireland’s needs and which will maintain appropriate democratic accountability to the Oireachtas. A new Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform has been established to oversee the development of proposals for this new authority, and other associated reforms to the policing and justice system. The Cabinet Committee is chaired by the Taoiseach and its membership includes the Tánaiste, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and myself as Minister for Justice and Equality. This Committee will make formal proposals to the Government for its consideration and final approval.

I acknowledge that changes to the remit of the Ombudsman Commission arising from these developments may require a review of the adequacy of the resources available to GSOC. Obviously this will be dependent on the exact nature of any changes that are agreed. When a clearer picture is known this will be the subject of discussions with GSOC and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.