Garda reform implementation
Deputy Howlin criticised the slow implementation of Garda modernisation and said the latest Policing Authority report showed little front-line impact. The Tánaiste pointed to the Commission on the Future of Policing, the new Commissioner and personnel, and said reform would be judged on delivery.
Since the publication of the Morris tribunal report a number of years ago, significant and far-reaching proposals for reform of An Garda Síochána have been made. Multiple reports and recommendations have been produced during the years. The Policing Authority report published yesterday assesses the progress of the modernisation programme which is now five years old. It is the seventh and final report produced by the Policing Authority and outlines the lack of connection of rank and file gardaí to the modernisation programme. It sets out the lack of impact on the front line where the necessity is most evident. The Minister for Justice and Equality said the report had been superseded by the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. While we have had many programmes for change, the proof of the pudding will surely be in implementation of radical reform. What specifically does the Government intend to do to respond to the view of the Policing Authority that transformational change is simply not happening?
Comment on this
I reinforce what the Deputy said about the report being outdated as it has been superseded in many ways by the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Comment on this
It is replacing one plan with another, but nothing has been implemented.
Comment on this
When one looks at the detail of the report of the Commission of the Future of Policing and the new personnel in place to deliver on it, it is a very serious piece of work. Of course, we will be judged on it. With a new Commissioner in place and a very clear reform agenda as a result of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, the Deputy will see fundamental change and reform for the better across An Garda Síochána. We will be held to account by the Policing Authority in that regard.