Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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433. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she plans to reform the operations of GSOC; if she plans to allow for appeals by persons whose initial complaint to the commission is refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42914/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to the rapid implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) and to the introduction of the Policing and Community Safety Bill to redefine the functions of An Garda Síochána and their oversight.

Work on the General Scheme of the Policing and Community Safety Bill is at an advanced stage. It will, as recommended by CoFPI, include proposals for the reform of the processes for the handling of complaints and the conduct of investigations by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) in order to streamline them and ensure timely resolution while safeguarding due process for all concerned. The question of whether a review or appeal mechanism in relation to certain determinations by GSOC might be appropriate forms part of this work.

Extensive consultations have taken place with key stakeholders, including with GSOC and the Garda Síochána in the course of this work. I hope to be in a position to seek the approval of the Government to publish the General Scheme and to draft the Bill in early 2021.