Justice plan ‘open to abuse’

A PROPOSAL to allow the Justice Minister to issue directives to the Garda Commissioner on any policing matter is open to abuse if enacted into law, Fine Gael’s John Deasy said last night.

The party's justice spokesman wants Minister Michael McDowell to clarify his proposals, contained in the Garda Bill published yesterday.

While Mr McDowell said the directives will be general such as ordering the closure of the border in a foot and mouth outbreak - and will not impact on operational policing matters or individual cases Mr Deasy argues there are no clear limits to Mr McDowell's powers laid down in the bill.