Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland: Discussion (Resumed)

9:00 am

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Daly. In his opening remarks, the Minister indicated that he was heartened that the report highlighted good examples of inter-agency co-operation. Deputy Jack Chambers touched on a whole-of-Government commitment which we all accept is essential to policing and community safety. If this is to be built on, co-operation must be embedded in the system. These were the Minister's own words and I concur absolutely.

I ask the Minister to elaborate on the areas he referenced in that regard and how he sees that coming into effect. I expect this is a development of the cross-departmental approach.

The committee has highlighted today, and in recent engagements with the Commission on the Future of Policing and senior management of An Garda Síochána, concerns regarding the availability of other key service providers. Unlike An Garda Síochána which is available 24 hours a day 365 days of the year, for some critical services with a very relevant role a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five-day week is the norm. Members of the committee, myself included, as elected public representatives have raised difficulties which have been encountered in dealing with problems in the evening time and, in particular, at weekends. I ask the Minister to elaborate on that issue and on how he envisages it being addressed.

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