Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2013

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2013 would create an independent board to oversee Garda policies, budgets, leadership and performance, with a stronger focus on human rights, transparency and community involvement. It would also make the Garda Ombudsman more independent and powerful: widening the types and time limits of complaints, requiring oversight of Garda investigations, granting access to Garda databases, and allowing investigations into serious harm, deaths and Garda practices without a complaint. The Gardaí would face less direct ministerial control, while becoming more publicly accountable through published policies, reports and Freedom of Information rules.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to strengthen the independence and functions of the Office of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as the Garda Síochána Independent Board with monitoring, oversight and supervisory functions over the Garda Síochána, to improve the democratic accountability of the Garda Síochána and to encourage community engagement and to ensure adherence to relevant human rights standards, to provide for the amendment and repeal of certain sections of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and to provide for related matters

Last updated 12 April 2018