Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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144. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of video footage from a protest (details supplied) in Gorey in County Wexford which indicates excessive use of a baton by a member of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41042/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has decided to open a public interest investigation into the incident referred to by the Deputy in accordance with section 102(4) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 established GSOC to deal with complaints concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána. The Act stipulates that the Ombudsman Commission is independent in the performance of its functions.

Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in any way on the incident or the GSOC investigation.