Wallace unveils radical plan to strengthen Garda ombudsman

Independent TD Mick Wallace has launched a radical plan to strengthen the powers of the Garda ombudsman and monitor the force, claiming increased powers for gardaí in recent years had caused “policing to suffer”.

His bill also proposes to set up an independent Garda board to monitor the force and to increase the autonomy of gardaí from central government.

However, Alan Shatter, the justice minister, said he had difficulties with the proposed bill.

Launching the legislation, Mr Wallace called for regular reviews of the force and claimed there had never been one since the foundation of the State.

He also said the Garda ombudsman needed full access to the Garda Pulse database and that it should be allowed initiate its own investigations without ministerial approval.

Mr Wallace and several of his Independent colleagues were involved in raising concerns over the last year of Garda manipulation of the penalty points system.

A Garda inquiry into the quashing of fines found no evidence of corruption but found thousands of points were cancelled from divers’ records.

Mr Wallace denied yesterday that he had an “ounce of vindication” in pushing for changes in the force. However, he did acknowledge his move to reform Garda regulations had come about as a “reaction” to the fixed charge terminations scandal.

The launch was attended by a number of families and individuals who claim gardaí have acted improperly investigating cases.

Independent TDs were also joined at their launch by Cork businessman Ted Cunningham who is awaiting retrial on charges in connection with the Northern Bank robbery.

But Mr Shatter last night questioned the plans for an independent Garda board which would be unelected and whether it could operate effectively with 16 people.

“I certainly can’t easily think of an example in another jurisdiction where responsibility for oversight of these functions has been devolved from Government.”

He also questioned whether it was appropriate for office holders such as the children’s ombudsman or the data protection commissioner — as suggested in the bill — to help manage the force on the board. The minister said some of the proposals were “worthy of consideration” but that he would not support the bill.

He said he was willing to examine any allegations against gardaí if they were passed onto him.

Debate on the proposed legislation will continue today.