Garda Síochána Act 2005

Directives.

25.— (1) Following the approval of the Government, the Minister may issue to the Garda Commissioner written directives concerning any matter relating to the Garda Síochána.

(2) The Garda Commissioner shall, in performing the functions of that office, comply with any directive issued under this section.

(3) As soon as practicable after issuing a directive under this section, the Minister shall cause a copy of the directive to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, but if compliance with this requirement might prejudice the security of the State or might impede the prevention, investigation or prosecution of an offence, it is sufficient if a written statement indicating that a directive has been issued is laid before each House.

(4) The Minister’s power under subsection (1) may not be exercised to limit the independence of a member of the Garda Síochána in performing functions relating to the investigation of a specific offence or the prosecution of an offence as authorised by section 8 .

(5) The Garda Commissioner shall inform the Minister of the measures taken by the Commissioner to comply with a directive issued under this section and supply the information within the time specified by the Minister.