Kenny: Public must have trust in both GSOC and Gardaí
The Taoiseach has said it is crucial that there is a "balanced relationship" between the Gardaí and the Garda Ombudsman Commission.
It comes as GSOC representatives prepare to appear before an Oireachtas committee later to discuss the alleged bugging of its headquarters.
Commissioner Kieran Fitzgerald says bugging cannot be "definitively ruled out" - but Justice Minister Alan Shatter says there is no evidence of any security breach.
Relations between Gardaí and GSOC have soured over the claims with officers' representative bodies calling on the Ombudsman's chairman to resign.
Speaking today Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the Irish public needs to have trust in the relationship between both bodies.
"The relationship between the two - it is very important that people see they can have trust in both these institutions, and that the integrity is the for all to see, evaluate and to live by," Mr Kenny said.
"These are fundamentally important elements of our society and our democracy."
Meanwhile a junior minister says he wouldn't rule out the prospect of an independent inquiry into claims the office of the Garda Ombudsman was bugged, despite the Justice Minister last night telling the Dáil that there was nothing further to investigate.
Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes however said Mr Shatter was speaking on foot of information available so far, and more detail needs to come out.
"It is a very serious issue," Minister Hayes said.
"I think it's right and appropriate that GSOC would come before the committee today in public, and probe (the claims) in a bit more detail ."
"I'm not ruling out the prospect of some external or independent inquiry," he added.
"It's important that whoever polices the police (has) absolute support across Government."
