A new garda bill will require the Garda Commissioner to report to the Minister for Justice on security matters.
The bill to establish the policing authority defines security matters such as terrorism, espionage, sabotage, politically motivated violence, acts of foreign interference and aspects of the role of the gardaí that relate to the protection of the security of the State
The new authority will have a Chairperson appointed by the Government.
Eight members will be appointed by the public appointments service.
The Garda Commissioner will report and be accountable on policing issues to these eight members.
The bill also allows for the authority to ask the Garda Ombudsman to investigate any policing matter where a garda may have committed a disciplinary or criminal offence.
However, it can only ask GSOC to investigate the behaviour of the Garda Commissioner on policing matters subject to the consent of the Minister.
The authority can also ask the Garda Inspectorate to inquire into the operation and administration of the Garda.
The Authority is to be accountable to the Public Accounts Committee and to other Committees of the Oireachtas.
The Government will retain the power to appoint the Garda Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioners.
Candidates will be recommended by the Authority, which will make the appointments to other ranks.
The bill also sets out the process for removing senior gardaí including the Commissioner on the recommendation of the authority and in relation to security and policing matters.
The authority is also required to publish within a year a code of ethics for the Garda Síochána.
