Public attitudes surveys

Methodology 

Fieldwork was conducted via the Behaviour & Attitudes national Face to Face Omnibus survey (Barometer) over the period 2 – 14 January, 2020. The previous 2018 survey was carried out also using the Face to Face Omnibus survey (Barometer) over the period 1 – 13 February 2018. And the earlier survey carried out in 2016 used the same method, Face to Face Omnibus over the period 15 – 25 January 2016. The earlier 2013 survey was carried out by way of a telephone Omnibus (TeleBarometer) over the period of 3 – 15 December 2013. Where relevant, comparisons are shown between four survey periods

Interviewing was conducted across 63 separate sampling points per survey and all aspects of this Barometer survey are identical to using a bespoke ad hoc survey approach. Some 1,003 members of the public were interviewed. Within each sampling point, respondents were selected on the basis of quota controls relating to gender, age, social class within region and also factors such as Garda interaction.

Key Findings

• Of those expressing an opinion, 72% indicate they would be willing to make a complaint if they had a bad experience with a Garda, back in line with 2016 levels.

• The primary reasons for perceiving the Garda Ombudsman as an important service relate to the need for regulatory standards to keep Gardaí accountable.

• There is a greater understanding of the term ‘Garda Ombudsman’ than there is of the term ‘GSOC’