National security decision ignored human rights plea

The Government’s decision to exclude national security from the remit of the forthcoming Policing Authority was made despite calls from the State’s human rights body for it to be included.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission told the Government that the authority should oversee “national security policy and practice”.

It said independent oversight of this area was a “requirement” under the European Convention of Human Rights and lessened the risk of the State being found in violation of it.