The Government has appointed retired High Court Judge John Cooke to conduct the independent inquiry into reports of surveillance of the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

The terms of reference were agreed by the Government on the advice of the Attorney General.

They are as follows:

Terms Of Reference

1. To establish a chronology and   identify  the   sequence of events and facts leading up to and relating  to the Public Interest Investigation pertaining to security concerns commenced by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission pursuant to section 102(4)  of the Garda Siochana Act 2005 on or about the 8th October 2013.

2. To examine all reports, transcripts, records, minutes, correspondence and documentation  and consider   any  oral or other evidence as is  deemed relevant to the aforementioned  Public Interest Investigation.

3. To review and assess any evidence of a security breach or attempted security breach at the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission as  informed by, inter alia,  the chronology and facts established at 1 above, or arising from the examination at 2 above,  and as may have occurred at any time up to 18th February 2014.

4. If appropriate, to make recommendations regarding measures to improve the existing security arrangements of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission for the purpose of addressing risks to data and communications identified in the course of this Review and to ensure the integrity and security of their data and information  in the interest of maintaining public confidence in the ability of GSOC to discharge its statutory functions in the public interest.

5. To make any other recommendations, whether in regard to legislation or otherwise, as may be considered appropriate arising from the Review aforesaid into this matter.

6.   To Report on the above matters within 8 weeks or as soon as may be thereafter.