Taoiseach defends handling of GSOC crisis

Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday rejected opposition claims that Justice Minister Alan Shatter deliberately tried to undermine the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), adding Mr Shatter would have no difficulty answering questions when he appears before the Oireachtas Oversight Committee later today.

Mr Kenny strongly defended the his minister’s handling of the crisis, rejecting claims Mr Shatter had mislead the Dáil, saying there had been a great deal of confusion over the issue.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin accused Mr Kenny of telling an “untruth” last week regarding GSOC’s reporting obligations under the legislation to the Government and accused the Government of continually attempting to undermine public confidence in the police watchdog by rubbishing the surveillance allegations.