Opposition parties seek stronger GSOC powers

Taoiseach Enda Kenny's commitment to "review" the workings of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has been met with calls from Opposition parties to strengthen the powers under which the Garda watchdog operates.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the events of the past 10 days since allegations of bugging at the GSOC's Dublin offices surfaced in newspaper reports underlined the need to strengthen the commission's hand and for an independent inquiry into the confusion that has arisen.

“One of the reasons we need a commission of investigation into the bugging scandal is that GSOC clearly don’t have the necessary powers to properly progress with their inquiries.”

Mr Ryan said the difficulties experienced by the GSOC in carrying out a four-year investigation into allegations that Co Louth drug dealer Kieran Boylan was allowed to continue dealing drugs while working as a Garda informer also underlined the need for the commission to be given extra powers.

Badly needed
Sinn Féin last night said it was committed to producing legislation that was badly needed if the GSOC was to be strengthened. Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said the fact that the office of the Garda commissioner was excluded from being investigated by the GSOC showed the legislation needed to be remedied.

The bugging controversy will come under renewed focus tomorrow when Minister for Justice Alan Shatter is due to answer questions on matters arising from it when he appears before the Oireachtas Committee on Public Service, Oversight and Petitions.