Heather Humphreys, has welcomed an apology from Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris after it emerged gardai didn't follow up on domestic violence 999 calls.
Details emerged recently of hundreds of women who bravely phoned the gardai to report abuse - only to see their complaints dropped.
The independent Policing Authority hauled Commissioner Harris before it on Thursday afternoon to investigate the scandal.
Commissioner Harris has apologised and revealed over 300 women whose complaints were not followed through have now been contacted by gardai.
Ms Humphreys has welcomed the Commissioner’s actions.
She said: “Any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls is a very serious issue.
“The Garda Commissioner has assured me that when someone calls 999 now, they can expect and trust that the Garda Síochána will help, and that’s the way it should be.
“The Commissioner has put new processes in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“That is welcome.
“I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic abuse , and indeed anyone in a vulnerable position, who gathered up the courage to make that 999 call and to look for assistance, and then they didn’t get it?
“I know the Commissioner has apologised to these victims and I just want to welcome that fact.
“The issue is being examined by the Policing Authority and Minister McEntee (Helen, minister on maternity leave) asked the Policing Authority to look at the matter, so as we speak, the Commissioner is in front of the Authority and I’ll be happy when the Authority ha completed its work and they’re going to provide me with a report on this matter.
“So, just to say, the work being done by the Policing Authority now is exactly why we have a robust, independent oversight structure in our policing system.”
