Garda legislation welcomed

Opposition parties have welcomed new Garda legislation, but insisted its provisions needed to be stronger.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Padraig Mac Lochlainn said the Garda Síochána Bill was overdue, but was especially needed in the wake of a spate of justice scandals.

Introducing the bill to the Dáil, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the main thrust of the legislation was to strengthen the role of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).