Dáil to debate Policing Authority this week

Increased powers for the Independent Policing Authority to allow it remove and discipline officers of any rank are to be debated in the Dáil this week.

A new bill, brought by Fianna Fáil’s Justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan, will expand the oversight reach of the authority, which has been criticised for its lack of powers.

Under the terms of the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2017, the authority would be given “greater oversight over the workings of An Garda Síochána and the commissioner’s office”.