Tipperary TD Noel Coonan has welcomed the publication of the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2014 which will strengthen the powers and remit of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The Bill was published this week by Deputy Coonan's Fine Gael colleague and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald.
The Tipperary Deputy explained: "The main purpose of the Garda Síochána (Amendment)(No. 3) Bill 2014 is to amend the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to expand the remit and powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), which is the independent body responsible for receiving and dealing with complaints made by members of the public concerning the conduct of members of the Garda Síochána.
"Amendments are also being made to further legislation in respect of the exercise of certain police powers by GSOC. In particular, the Bill brings the Garda Commissioner within the scope of GSOC investigations for the first time. It allows GSOC, for the first time, to carry out such an examination of certain Garda practices and procedures on its own initiative. Currently it can only do this when requested by the Minister," said Deputy Coonan.
"It also requires the Garda Commissioner to ensure that any information to be provided by the Garda Síochána to GSOC for the purposes of an investigation will be supplied as soon as practicable. This provision will strengthen the ability of GSOC to carry out investigations.
"The Bill extends the general time limit for making a complaint to GSOC from six to twelve months. It broadens the scope for the Minister to refer a matter to GSOC for investigation, in the public interest. This will now be possible in relation to any matter that gives rise to a concern that a Garda member may have committed an offence or behaved in a manner that would justify disciplinary proceedings.
"These are but some of the important measures Fine Gael in Government is introducing to enhance justice reform and to enhance public confidence in GSOC," concluded Deputy Coonan.
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