Ombudsman funding ‘will match North’s’

THE new Garda Ombudsman Commission will have the staffing and budget to match the Police Ombudsman in the North, according to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

However, Fine Gael last night claimed it will be grossly under-funded compared to its Northern equivalent.

The members of the three-person garda commission - Judge Kevin Haugh, former Irish Times editor Conor Brady and former Consumer Affairs Director Carmel Foley - were sworn in yesterday by President Mary McAleese.