Minister to be questioned on GSOC’s ‘obligation to report’

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is set to be questioned at the Oireachtas Oversight Committee today about claims he and the Taoiseach made about the Garda Ombudsman’s reporting obligations.

The claims — particularly from Taoiseach Enda Kenny — attracted widespread criticism and were seen by some as having the effect, if not the intention, of undermining the watchdog.

Mr Kenny last week called on GSOC to “level with” Mr Shatter about the suspected bugging controversy and cited a section of the legislation governing GSOC to say the body was legally obliged to inform the Minister for Justice about such issues.