Mr. Drew Harris:

I will address that last point but I will start with the Chair's first point on communication. As I said at the start and in my comments as well, I want to have open and transparent communication with the committee.

I was struck by Senator Conway's remarks. He asked me to identify what issues I have seen in the organisation. As I see them and as they crystallise, the committee, along with the Policing Authority, will be briefed properly on those. I also noted his comments about the expedition of correspondence and reports. In terms of collaboration, the commission is very strident about this. It talks about widening the definition of policing, how the policing mission is changing and about harm. The commission makes specific recommendations on Departments working together and crisis intervention teams but also An Garda Síochána working together with co-located social service and healthcare professionals.

I think we have a different vision for what the service to the public will look like going forward but underpinning that, we need to have the correct organisational strategies in place with our partners, and we also need to resolve the issues around appropriate information sharing as well. Undoubtedly, more of our time is being spent dealing with mental health issues but, increasingly, our work also involves dealing with issues concerning drink and drug addiction. Crimes against the vulnerable also seem to be increasing. Certainly, reports to that effect are increasing as well. That brings us in contact with our partners to have a more holistic and victim-centred approach to individuals and the dire circumstances in which they find themselves. The commission has specific recommendations and we are very much alive to them.