The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has expressed concern over the proposed establishment of a new Garda Inspectorate announced by the Minister for Justice today.
A spokesman for the GRA said that while the body welcomed any moves towards more accountability and more transparency, it "urged caution" in relation to the announcement of a new inspectorate, to be set up in conjunction with an Ombudsman Commission, under the new Garda Bill.
He said the GRA required "clarification" on the proposed relationship between the minister and the inspectorate, because the role of the Minister for Justice had not been "beyond reproach" in the past when it came to accountability.
It would be unhealthy for democracy if the minister was to control such an inspectorate, the spokesman said.
He said the body needed to know what controls would be put in place.