Concerns about possible non-statutory nature of Garda review rejected

The Government has rejected claims the imminent root and branch review of An Garda Síochána will fail to have full access to all files because it is likely to be non-statutory in nature.

A Government spokes- person dismissed the concerns yesterday as Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald published draft terms of reference for the inquiry, which is due to begin after Easter.

The review, in response to the recent phantom breath tests and wrongful traffic convictions controversies, will focus on accountability, leadership, management capacity, and the culture and ethos of the gardaí, and will also examine the Garda Ombudsman, the Policing Authority, and the department’s interactions with officers.