Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. I would like to welcome the Commissioner to the committee and thank him for his presentation, which is comprehensive and gives us an update on the progress regarding enforcement measures. I represent Tipperary and we had the unfortunate and tragic situation where Tipperary suffered the highest number of road fatalities last year. Obviously, involved in that was personal and family loss and the trauma, grief and suffering that went with it. I am very conscious that safety on our roads across Tipperary and the country is a major concern.

I gave a public welcome to the decision that each member of the Garda would spend 30 minutes per shift on road policing. I think it gave a sense of reassurance that the gardaí were stepping up activity to keep motorists safe. I can certainly say that I have seen, both in Tipperary and on the motorway on which I travel regularly, a far greater and noticeable Garda presence.

The statistics and the enforcement measures have already been discussed here and the answers have been given. An issue I would like to raise with the Commissioner is adequate and reliable transport for Garda members. It is absolutely crucial. A large number of Garda vehicles are approaching or have already passed their sell by date. I am aware of several instances across the Tipperary division, including the Thurles division, where vehicles are simply not fit for purpose. This is across the county and indeed across the country because it is a national problem. Cars and vans are out of commission to such an extent that at times gardaí do not have the vehicles to respond to incidents.

Who is responsible for the fleet of Garda vehicles? It is not cost effective to send a clapped-out car or cars that have extended mileage to a garage and spend weeks on end in the garage. When they come back, there is a reoccurrence of the same breakdown. It is not cost effective to keep old cars on the road. It is unfair to the Garda members who are driving these vehicles. Who manages the fleet? Is it directly from the Garda budget? If it is, is the budget sufficient to replace the vehicles that need to be replaced?

I would also like today, as it is a public forum, to convey our thanks and our appreciation to the members of An Garda Síochána who strive everyday to protect our lives, protect our communities and protect our property. I meet gardaí on a regular basis and we need to recognise that the work of a garda is becoming more demanding, more difficult and indeed more dangerous. As a committee and as a Government, we need to give them practical support. They need proper terms and conditions of employment and appropriate terms and conditions for the demanding task that they carry out on our behalf.

I will now convey to the Commissioner the views I hear on the ground from the gardaí, both in the traffic corps and the general membership of the Garda. A lot of gardaí feel they are stymied with bureaucracy, reporting and paperwork. They also feel that oversight of gardaí has increased to such an extent that there is more oversight of Garda members than there is of the criminals who they are trying to catch.

The Commissioner and assistant commissioner need to look at the disciplinary process. It is extremely protracted, to the extent that it is unfair to individuals who are under investigation. I would like to know what is their view on the level of the oversight? Is it needed to the extent that we have? I would also like to know their views on the disproportionate time lapse between an inquiry starting and its conclusions.

Finally, I have heard from several gardaí over the last four to five years. Since the system in HR was civilianised, there is no effort made to look after the members of the force who have genuine hardship concerns. A Garda member from my county may have a wife at home who is ill with cancer and the garda must commute, the system seems to have become very rigid and there is no flexibility. How is that process working? What role does the chief in the division have? What role has the Garda sergeant or the superintendent in the Garda station? I do not believe a garda should be transferred for frivolous reasons. However, there are cases where it is manifestly obvious that the garda should be supported and I ask that An Garda Síochána be more compassionate in that regard. I thank the witnesses.