The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) wants the right to carry out no-warning searches at Garda stations and to investigate the Garda Commissioner without the consent of the Minister for Justice. For example, Gsoc wants the power to delay retirements of older Garda members until any investigations into them are completed. This would be met with strong resistance from the Garda Representative Association and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. Gsoc believes this undermines its independence to investigate the Garda, which also comes under the remit of the department. It wants the power to decide when complaints can be dealt with in that way.

Source: The Irish Times January 19, 2018 19:52 UTC