Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
866. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to address the issue of the high prevalence of complaints received by GSOC against gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12215/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is an important independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This independence is the hallmark of good oversight. I want to emphasise the vital role that GSOC plays in providing the necessary oversight of An Garda Síochána. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.
Further, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the training and discipline of Garda members. As Minister I have no direct role in these independent functions, nor can I direct the Commissioner in them.
As the Deputy may be aware, the new Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2023, which I brought forward last year, provides for a suite of new regulations to be made in relation to performance, conduct and standards of professional behaviour in An Garda Síochána. These regulations will replace the current Disciplinary Regulations. Under these new arrangements, the existing disciplinary system for members of An Garda Síochána will be replaced with a system that distinguishes between matters appropriate to behaviour constituting misconduct, and performance management, as recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The required new processes in this area are currently being developed in consultation with An Garda Síochána and other relevant bodies, including GSOC.
