Enda Kenny hints at new body to oversee Garda

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has left the door open for the creation of a new authority to oversee the management and accountability of An Garda Síochána.

He said the recent controversies had exposed shortcomings in the management of the police force and Justice Minister Alan Shatter will be making recommendations on reform.

The Taoiseach was reacting to a call by Labour backbenchers for the creation of a new Garda authority to monitor the performance of the force and hold senior officers to account. Such a body would sever the direct reporting line between the Garda commissioner and the justice minister and replicate the establishment of a similar body that oversees the PSNI in the North.