Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of our guests for their contributions. Without spending too much time on it, we are at a critical juncture for the administration of justice. Certainly, the joint committee will be of critical importance in changing how justice is delivered and in the alteration of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and any other amendments to legislation that might be put forward over the next number of months.
Rebuilding the trust that has been lost in the Garda over the last number of months is extremely important. That leads in nicely to where we should start, which is at the beginning when gardaí receive their training. The joint committee will visit Templemore very soon. Having listened to Ms Quilligan and Mr. Fitzgerald as to the importance of basic customer service training, it seems to be something that was lost along the way. I am not au faitwith the precise training methods used in Templemore. I am aware it is a significant degree that the recruits go through. It is a level 8 FETAC qualification. I wonder if the importance of customer service is lost during the years of training. Ms Quilligan mentioned the importance of professionalism and politeness in the carrying out of duties. That reduces the number of questions and queries that are referred on through complaints and procedures which reduces the workload for everybody here and will improve the trust that is there. Bolstering that level of training is of critical importance. We should as a committee get our teeth into that. It is extremely important.
I have a number of questions, some of which will be for specific witnesses and others of which will be general. It would be very welcome for witnesses to contribute even where I do not address them specifically. Mr. Fitzgerald mentioned systemic issues of customer service and service delivery. I appreciate what he said in terms of his role as an ombudsman. Is the implementation of best practice in that particular area something he feels GSOC can make a contribution to? Mr. Fitzgerald mentioned the forthcoming annual report of GSOC. Is it going to be part of that or is it something that could be added as an addendum?