Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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90. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the confidential recipient process under which gardaí make internal complaints; her views on bringing it within the remit of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38696/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I presume the Deputy is referring to the system whereby members of An Garda Síochána can report instances where they believe there may be corruption or malpractice within the Garda Síochána.

The Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Corruption or Malpractice) Regulations 2007 provided for the appointment of an independent Confidential Recipient to whom members of the Force, and civilian support staff, could report, in full confidence, instances where they believe there may be corruption or malpractice within the Force.

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July 2014. This Act revoked the Garda Síochána (Confidential Reporting of Malpractice and Corruption) Regulations 2007 and provided for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to be prescribed as a body to which disclosures may be made by members of the Garda Síochána. On 23 July 2014 GSOC was prescribed under section 7 of the Act as a body to receive protected disclosures.

Members of An Garda Síochána may now communicate their concerns in full confidence to the Garda Commissioner or to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission as a prescribed body under the Act.