Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

405. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will refer a Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission complaint, made by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon, alleging that gardaí failed to adequately investigate an allegation of fraud, to the Independent Review Panel, consisting of two senior and five junior counsel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18426/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, a panel consisting of two senior and five junior counsel, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system, was established to consider the allegations of Garda misconduct which had been submitted to my Department, to the Office of the Taoiseach and a number of other public representatives.

The review in each case consists of an examination of the papers by independent counsel, who then make a recommendation as to whether any further action might be taken. It has never been considered that the Independent Review Mechanism would act as an alternative to, or an appeal mechanism from, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 established GSOC to, among other matters, receive complaints from members of the public concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána. GSOC is independent in the exercise of its functions and I am not in a position, therefore, to comment on individual complaints which have been made to it.