Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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506. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which provision remains in place for the reporting of alleged wrongdoing within An Garda Síochána with particular reference to the need to observe best practice in the interest of the force, transparency and public reassurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27404/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 168/2007),made under s.124 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, provide for the appointment of an independent Confidential Recipient. The independent Confidential Recipient enables members of the Force, and civilian support staff, to report, in full confidence, instances where they believe there may be corruption or malpractice within the Garda Síochána. Retired District Court Judge Mr Patrick McMahon was appointed to the position of Confidential Recipient 12 March, 2014. As part of the comprehensive new approach, provided for in the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013, to enhance the protection available to whistle blowers, that Bill will enable the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to be prescribed as a body to which whistleblowing disclosures may be made by members of the Garda Síochána. This new system will when enacted replace the existing office of the Confidential Recipient.