As the Deputy outlined, this section of the Bill concerns functions and powers of the Policing Authority. His amendment seeks to expand its function in the carrying out of inspections. I confirm that the authority may carry out inspections either on its own initiative or at the request of the Minister. The amendment is unnecessary. Section 122 already provides for the general function of the new authority to carry out inspections. Along with that, sections 142, 148 and 149 provide further detail on the carrying out…

I move amendment No. 35: In page 112, line 15, to delete "authority" and substitute "Authority".

I move amendment No. 36: In page 121, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: "Application of Freedom of Information Act 2014 to Authority 135. (1) Notwithstanding section 6(12) of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the obligations under that Act shall apply to the Authority on and from the establishment day of the Authority. (2) Notwithstanding section 2(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the “effective date” in the case of the Authority shall, for the purposes of that Act, be 21 April 2008.". T…

I move amendment No. 37: In page 136, line 18, to delete “shall” and substitute “shall, subject to section 159(2) ”.

I move amendment No. 38: In page 139, to delete lines 7 to 22 and substitute the following: “Transitional provisions relating to Policing Authority 159. (1) Where, before the establishment day of the Authority, the Policing Authority has commenced any action under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and all matters relating to the action have not been completed before that day, the action shall be deemed to have been commenced, and may be completed— (a) other than where paragraph (b) or (c) applies, by the Authorit…

I move amendment No. 39: In page 140, to delete lines 5 to 17 and substitute the following: “160 . (1) The Authority shall cause to be prepared any outstanding appropriation accounts of the Policing Authority.”. As the Deputy will be aware, the Bill provides for the dissolution of the current Policing Authority and the establishment of a new policing and community safety authority. Section 160 provides for the preparation of the final accounts and annual report of the current Policing Authority. As currently drafte…

I move amendment No. 40: In page 140, line 33, to delete “shall” and substitute “shall, subject to section 165(2) ”.

I move amendment No. 41: In page 140, between lines 34 and 35, to insert the following: “Transfer of member of Garda Síochána Inspectorate 162. (1) The Minister may, before the establishment day of the Authority, designate a person who immediately before that day stands appointed under section 115 of the Act of 2005 as a member of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to be appointed as— (a) a member of the staff of the Authority, and (b) an inspector of policing services. (2) Where, immediately before the establishment …

I move amendment No. 42: In page 142, to delete lines 14 to 24 and substitute the following: “Transitional provisions relating to Garda Síochána Inspectorate 165. (1) Where, before the establishment day of the Authority, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate has commenced any action under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and all matters relating to the action have not been completed before that day, the action shall be deemed to have been commenced, and may be completed— (a) other than where paragraph (b) applies, by …

I move amendment No. 43: In page 152, line 31, to delete “for malicious injuries received” and substitute “for injuries inflicted as a result of a malicious incident within the meaning of that Act”.

I move amendment No. 44: In page 169, line 9, to delete “a member” and substitute “such a member”.

At the heart of this is a desire to ensure strong co-operation and co-ordination between An Garda Síochána and the new equivalent of GSOC, whatever title is conferred on it. The purpose of this consultation is to ensure that this new incident of concern process is operable and efficient. Section 204 provides that, having notified the police ombudsman of an incident of concern, the Garda Commissioner may still take lawful actions to prevent the commission of offences or breaches of professional standards of behaviou…

Again, I am happy to engage further with the Deputy but, in this regard, the timeframe has already been extended from 12 to 18 months. That happened only seven years ago. Prior to setting out the timelines here, we engaged with An Garda Síochána, with GSOC and with the Director of Public Prosecutions, all of which have said they do not have any issue with the 18 months and none of which requested that it be extended any further.

I move amendment No. 47: In page 194, to delete lines 21 to 23. Section 220 provides a right of review for complainants who are dissatisfied with the determination of the police ombudsman that a complaint is inadmissible or that an investigation be discontinued. Section 220(8) currently provides the police ombudsman with the power to review a decision made under Part 6 and to take any appropriate action to reconsider a decision found to be incorrect. My Department has engaged with GSOC and with the Attorney General…

I move amendment No. 48: In page 194, line 33, to delete “the Police Ombudsman” and substitute “the Office of the Police Ombudsman”. Section 221 provides for a judge-led inquiry into the conduct of the police ombudsman, the deputy police ombudsman, and the officers of the police ombudsman, and-or the policies, practices and procedures of the police ombudsman on a single occasion, or generally, with regard to the investigation under Part 6. Amendment No. 48 proposes to delete the reference to the police ombudsman in…

I move amendment No. 49: In page 196, line 1, to delete “The Minister” and substitute “Subject to subsection (10) , the Minister”.

I move amendment No. 50: In page 196, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “(10) Where a report submitted to the Minister under subsection (8) concerns an inquiry into the conduct of the Police Ombudsman, subsection (9) shall apply subject to the modification that the reference in that subsection to the Minister shall forward shall be construed as a reference to the Minister may forward.”.

I move amendment No. 51: In page 199, line 12, to delete “of the Independent Examiner”.

I move amendment No. 52: In page 201, line 5, to delete “of the Independent Examiner”.

I move amendment No. 53: In page 201, lines 7 and 8, to delete “of the Independent Examiner”.