The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is set to receive extra skilled staff to deal with garda whistleblower investigations, however it is still unclear when or if it is the full complement which GSOC sought.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week In Politics, the Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan said: "I will make sure that GSOC has sufficient resources, and sufficient staff numbers, to do the very important work that they are doing."
He said GSOC had submitted a revised business case last week for increasing its staff.
"I'm working on it, and I'm very anxious to bring this matter to a satisfactory resolution," Minister Flanagan said.
Justice Minister @CharlieFlanagan on GSOC resources and staffing -‘I will make sure that GSOC have the sufficient resources’ #twip #GSOC pic.twitter.com/gWXNaTF3YV
— The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) February 25, 2018
While GSOC had sought 12 additional officers to help it with extra work on protected disclosures, only five have so far been forthcoming.
Regarding the GSOC request for full independence from the Department of Justice, Minister Flanagan would only say that: "I have an open mind on this... but it hasn't been discussed with my Government colleagues."
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Jim O'Callaghan criticised the Government's record, saying GSOC made its request for additional resources back in November 2016.
Sinn Fein's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said his party would try and force Minister into taking speedy action: "If the Government doesn't legislate for it, then we're happy to move a bill."
