Garda Commissioner and justice legislation
Deputy Micheál Martin welcomes Nóirín O’Sullivan’s appointment as Garda Commissioner and supports fair, independent appointments; the Taoiseach outlines progress and expected publication of related justice legislation.
I congratulate the new Garda Commissioner, Nóirín O’Sullivan on her appointment. I am somewhat concerned at Deputy Wallace’s contribution this morning. Deputies should not in any shape or form attempt to decide who is appointed to a senior public position. I am satisfied that there are independent mechanisms in place to fairly and squarely interview people. People from within an organisation are just as entitled to be appointed as people external to it. I understand the talk about appointing an outsider but it was detrimental to many good personnel inside An Garda Síochána who had a legitimate right to aspire to this position. We need to be very careful not to go all the time for that kind of sentiment. Deputies should refrain from interfering in selection processes for public appointments.
The Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014 dealing with the new policing authority, is relevant to this. The heads of the Bill have been published. Is there a timeline for its passage through the House?
When will the heads of the Bill required to hold a referendum on marriage equality in the spring be published? Time is slipping by and it is necessary to appoint a commission to apprise people of the Bill.
The health (transport support) Bill has been promised to provide a scheme to enable people with disabilities get a contribution towards their transport costs when they cannot use public transport. When will that Bill come before the House? It is causing a great deal of stress to many people. It has been promised on numerous occasions since the abolition of the earlier schemes. It is unacceptable that people with disabilities have been left in the lurch for so long.
Comment on this
That is due early next year to replace the mobility allowance. The Minister for Justice and Equality has confirmed to me that very good progress is being made on the two Bills the Deputy mentioned, in respect of the referendum to be held in 2015 and on the independent policing authority. I cannot confirm that they will be published before Christmas but they will be published early in the new year.