Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps taken on foot of receipt of the submission from GSOC in January 2018 calling for legislative overhaul of the body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26326/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2017 the Government approved the drafting of the heads of a Bill to address a number of matters related to the operation of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) and the procedures related to the receipt and processing of complaints under the Act.

Meanwhile, in May 2017, the Government established the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.  Its remit requires it to review the police oversight architecture including how complaints against members of An Garda Síochána are handled.  The Commission is due to report in September and I look forward to receiving its proposals.

In parallel with the Commission's review, GSOC sent me, in December 2017, its proposals for reform of the 2005 Act.  Given its remit, I referred these proposals to the Commission as an input to its work.  I am aware that GSOC has engaged with the Commission in its own right.  In view of the timeframe for the Commission on the Future of Policing to present its report, I expect to address GSOC's proposals as part of the consideration of wider legislative proposals which I expect to follow from the Commission's report.