Gardaí can make complaints to GSOC as powers increased

The powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) are to be increased after the Cabinet decided to replace the confidential recipient process by allowing serving gardaí to make their complaints directly to GSOC itself.

In the wake of the ongoing whistleblowers controversy Mr Kenny told the Dáil the Government had agreed to amend the Protected Disclosures Bill to allow serving members of the force to approach GSOC directly on allegations of corruption or malpractice.

The bill is expected to pass through the Oireachtas over the next couple of months and in the meantime the Cabinet decided to appoint an interim confidential recipient in the wake of the dismissal of Oliver Connolly last week.