Criticism for minister’s GSOC veto

Legal experts and opposition parties have expressed concern at draft laws giving the justice minister a veto on proposed Garda Ombudsman powers to investigate the Garda commissioner.

The ability to investigate the police boss was cited as one of the biggest expansions in the power of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission following the raft of controversies enveloping the gardaí and the justice system.

GSOC has sought the power and it was recommended by an Oireachtas Justice Committee report.