Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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91. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the statement the Policing Authority issued following its meeting with the Garda Commissioner; if she has directed the Garda Commissioner to comply with the authority's requests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14317/16]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will publish a formal Garda response to the O'Higgins report, as requested by the Policing Authority. [14321/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 95 together.

It is important to say that the Policing Authority is an independent statutory body responsible for overseeing the performance of An Garda Síochána, in relation to policing services. Requests made by the Authority of An Garda Síochána are primarily a matter for the two bodies concerned and it would not be appropriate for me as Minister to insert myself, in the manner the Deputy suggests, into a process that is on-going.

As the Deputy is aware, the Policing Authority met the Garda Commissioner on 26 May 2016 in relation to the O'Higgins report. Following that meeting, the Authority issued a statement in which it said that it expects to see a formal Garda Síochána response to the findings and recommendations in the report. The Deputy will also be aware that the Authority has scheduled two public meetings with the Commissioner on 13 and 30 June, at which the report and the Commissioner's response to it will be discussed.

Separately, I have asked the Garda Commissioner to examine the O'Higgins report and to indicate to me what further measures might be taken to try to prevent the type of difficulties outlined in it in relation to An Garda Síochána from arising again. I have also sought her proposals concerning the recommendations which it contains in relation to the Garda service.