Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on one of the most fundamental issues currently confronting Irish society. The Garda Síochána remains a key institution in this State. Throughout the past century it operated as an effective police force of which we were all extremely proud. As a society, we owe a great deal to the collective endeavour of members of the Garda Síochána. However, at a time when anti-social behaviour is on the increase, crimes against the person have doubled in the past five years and drug use has spread nationwide, the number of gardaí on the beat is less now than it was seven years ago. We need a better, more modern police service equipped and structured to deal with the reality of life in the 21st century.

Dissatisfaction with the structures under which the Garda Síochána operates has been expressed long before recent scandals in the force emerged. Such dissatisfaction was also evident well before Mr. Justice Morris issued his second damning report into Garda conduct in Donegal, arising from investigations into the death of Mr. Richie Barron.

Much public dissatisfaction surrounds the manner in which the Garda Síochána responds to community concerns. There is widespread unhappiness with the working of the Garda Complaints Board and the adequacy of its governing legislation. Moreover, recent scandals, including the McBrearty affair in particular, have shaken public confidence in the Garda Síochána. I remind the Minister and the Government in general that the public accepted what the McBrearty family has had to say on this matter. There is no doubt about that.

Confidence in effective, efficient and accountable policing is a critical component of any normal democratic society where the rule of law prevails. The best way of restoring public confidence in the Garda Síochána, which has been lost in recent times, is to listen to what the public wants and expects from the police service.

Seven years ago, the public in a part of this island was engaged in such a debate. The Patten Commission process brought us the new beginning to policing in the North and the creation of one of the most modern police services in the world. While the modern PSNI emerged from unique circumstances arising from the bloody and tragic conflict in Northern Ireland in the latter part of the 20th century, it has become one of the most innovative and modern in the world.

I began my contribution by talking about the changes in policing structures that have been achieved in Northern Ireland. While these reforms still have some way to go — we are only in the fourth year of a ten-year reform programme — the PSNI performs to the highest international standards. It is time we started hearing such positive comments about our Garda Síochána.

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