An Independent TD says he and others who have raised allegations of garda misconduct are acting as the 'default GSOC'.

The comments from Luke 'Ming' Flanagan come a day after it was revealed that the Taoiseach has passed on a fresh batch of complaints to the newly-appointed Justice Minister.

The Garda Ombudsman Commission is meanwhile seeking new powers of inquiry to strengthen its hand in dealing with the force. Security sources say the powers being sought would allow GSOC to investigate "garda culture" and not just complaints.

Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday acknowledged that GSOC needed to be strengthened calling it a "toothless dog".

The Commission is already seeking new powers in the wake of the Guerin Report into the response to allegations from garda whistleblowers which criticised GSOC for delays in providing documents.

Among the new responsibilities being sought are the power to investigate all garda members - including the commissioner, the ability to investigate complaints made against Gardaí by their colleagues - and investigating garda practice and procedures.

The overall aim of these proposals would be to give rise to a more independent GSOC and investigate the culture of the force rather than individual complaints.

More detail on their submission is likely to be given when the senior staff appear of the watchdog before the Justice Committee on Wednesday.

Deputy Flanagan - who is also running in the Midlands Northwest constituency in the European elections - says the rules need to change with regard to serving gardai reporting directly to their Ombudsman.

And he has confirmed to Newstalk Breakfast that he is still hearing from people with complaints about alleged garda behaviour.