Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Garda Oversight and Accountability: Policing Authority

9:00 am

Ms Josephine Feehily:

We share the Deputy's disappointment over the continuing late receipt of material. This frustration runs right through the authority.

With regard to the broader issue on data quality, there is a large cultural dimension. We spoke about this when I was here before. Trained investigators — police officers — tend to be more focused on investigating crime and perhaps regard the capturing of the detail of information as a secondary piece. I have seen that in other professions; it is not confined to policing. Therefore, it is understandable but not good enough. I am particularly worried that the data produced are subsequently relied on for public policy and crime-prevention purposes.

That one will be cultural and will take time. I do not think that could have changed in the timeframe to which the Deputy referred.

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