The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has published a new bill to strengthen the powers and remit of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

Ms Fitzgerald says the Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill will "ensure that the wider public will have confidence in GSOC and how it carries out its important tasks."

The bill will bring the Garda Commissioner within the remit of GSOC for the first time, extend GSOC powers of investigation in relation to complaints over suspected criminal behaviour, and ensure that the gardaí gives information sought by GSOC "as soon as practicable."

It will allow GSOC to carry out examinations of certain garda practices and procedures on its own initiative. Currently, it can only do this when requested by the Justice Minister.

It is also to provide greater autonomy to GSOC in examining these aspects of the force.

The bill also broadens the scope for the Minister to refer a matter to GSOC for investigation in the public interest.

The Minister will be able to do this over any matter that gives rise to a concern that a garda member may have committed an offence, or behaved in a way that would justify disciplinary proceedings.

The measures are the result of a public consultation by the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform, and also relevant work within the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice.

Ms Fitzgerald went on to say "Further changes in relation to GSOC will be considered in the context of the legislation to establish a new Policing Authority which I will introduce as quickly as possible."

Ms Fitzgerald said she hopes the bill will become law as quickly as possible and wants it debated by the Houses of the Oireachtas "at an early stage."