117.— (1) The objective of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate is to ensure that the resources available to the Garda Síochána are used so as to achieve and maintain the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness in its operation and administration, as measured by reference to the best standards of comparable police services.

F163[(2) The functions of the Inspectorate are—

(a) in furtherance of its objective to carry out, if it considers it appropriate to do so or at the request of—

(i) the Authority in respect of a matter relating to policing services, or

(ii) the Minister,

inspections or inquiries in relation to any particular aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána,

(b) to submit to the Authority or the Minister, as the case may be—

(i) a report on those inspections or inquiries, and

(ii) if required by—

(I) the Authority in relation to policing services, or

(II) the Minister,

as the case may be, a report on the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána during a specified period and on any significant developments in that regard during that period,

and

(c) to provide advice to the Authority and the Minister with regard to best policing practice.]

(3) Any report prepared under subsection (2)(b) shall, where appropriate, contain recommendations for any action that the Inspectorate considers necessary.

F164[(3A) The Authority shall notify the Minister of a request made by it under subsection (2)(a) and shall, as soon as practicable, provide the Minister with a copy of any report received by it under subsection (2)(b).

(3B) The Minister shall notify the Authority of a request made by him or her under subsection (2)(a) and may, if he or she considers it appropriate having regard to the functions of the Authority under this Act, provide the Authority with a copy of any report received by him or her under subsection (2)(b).]

(4) Subject to subsection (5), the Minister shall cause copies of any reports received by him or her under F165[subsection (2)(b) or (3A)] to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

(5) The Minister may exclude from the copies of reports which are to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas any matter which, in his or her opinion—

(a) would be prejudicial to the interests of national security, or

(b) might facilitate the commission of an offence, prejudice a criminal investigation or jeopardise the safety of any person.

(6) The Inspectorate, with the approval of the Minister, may arrange—

(a) F166[with such police service or] police service outside the State for the engagement of police officers from that service, or

(b) with any other body for the engagement of other persons, for the provision of consultancy or advisory services in connection with the performance of its functions.

(7) Subject to this Act, the Inspectorate shall be independent in the performance of its functions.