23 November 2005

Justice

Cooperation between Garda Ombudsman and Northern Authorities

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he intends to take following the suggestions from the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, Ms Nuala O'Loan, for cooperation between her office and the soon to be established Garda Ombudsman Office to be put on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister For Justice, Equality and Law Reform: I will shortly bring to Government and the House proposals for the nomination of the three members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.  I am sure that the Ombudsman Commission will be anxious to liaise and cooperate with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and equivalent bodies in other jurisdictions to the fullest extent possible within the legal framework that applies in the relevant jurisdictions. 

I should say that the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the circumstances in which information obtained by the Ombudsman Commission may be disclosed, in or outside the State, to other persons.  Specifically, the Ombudsman Commission may itself authorise disclosure of information in any case.  Under the provisions of the Act, therefore, it is a matter for the Ombudsman Commission to decide in each case to whom it will disclose information.