Ms Éimear Fisher:

On the blame culture, the position there was in relation to the hesitancy to use initiative and the hesitancy to take action in certain circumstances because if one put one's head above the parapet and did something wrong, one would be blamed. It could be career-threatening or career-damaging. In an organisation in which certainty is really important from the point of view of prosecution, that is almost understandable and it is not unique to the Irish police service. At the same time, it is a situation that hinders initiative. There has to be scope for leadership, vision and the encouragement of initiative. This has happened in the public sector and a wide variety of organisations. On the second question in relation to time, a change in culture can take years. It can take years from the point of view of international policing services. We have studied cultural change in New Zealand, Australia and other areas like that in police services and it can happen. There are steps. It is not something that is impossible; it is something that can happen. There are clear steps that can be taken along the way from the point of view of vision from the top and an agreement to the vision all the way up and down the ranks. Supervisors all through the ranks can agree with and understand the vision and the need to deliver it. The vision should be included in performance management through which there should be an assessment of how one has delivered on the vision of the organisation.

There are quick wins as regards the changing of culture. Culture has changed in large organisations. I give the example in an Irish context of the Courts Service. When the administration of the courts moved from the Department to the Courts Service when the latter was established, it had a particular insight into customer service. The service had working groups, a vision from the top, leadership and it worked and is continuing to work. It may not be perfect in all circumstances and I am sure organisations would agree with that, but culture can change. There are quick wins along the way, but it is something that cannot be done overnight. However, it is not quite overnight at the moment.