Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The profoundly disturbing events which are dealt with in the reports we are about to discuss have been, as they must, the subject matter of strong action on the part of the Government. The Garda Síochána Act 2005, the most profound piece of legislation relating to the Garda Síochána in the history of the State, is the vehicle which has put in place many of the changes which have drawn inspiration from the fallout from the events in Donegal.

That Act has become the catalyst for the most fundamental reform and transformation of the force into a modern police service in which we can all take pride. It goes to the very core of policing, recasting in statute form the formal relationship between the Executive, the Minister, the Oireachtas and the Garda Síochána as well as the force's relationship with local government. It imposes a clear statutory duty on every member of the force, when required to do so by a member of higher rank, to account for his or her action or inaction while on duty. Failure to do so is sufficient to ground disciplinary action which may lead to dismissal. It must be recognised that the Garda Síochána has changed greatly in the intervening years since the events of years ago. We are in the midst of a new era of reform which will continue to impact on the way the force conducts itself and serves the community.

The Government has acted firmly and radically to ensure the culture and organisation of the Garda Síochána is fully fit for purpose. It is my firm belief that, among other steps, the establishment of the ombudsman commission, which is gearing up to commence operations in the new year, the establishment of the Garda inspectorate and the appointment of chief inspector Kathleen O'Toole and her two fellow inspectors, the appointment of the four-person civilian expert group chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes to advise the Commissioner on the development of management and leadership skills for senior officers, including the promotion of a culture of performance management and accountability, the development of human resource management and succession planning and the development of specialist skills and enhanced training for members and staff of the Garda Síochána, the establishment of a Garda reserve, the establishment of local policing committees, the creation of a Deputy Garda Commissioner position to lead a dedicated change management team, the enactment of the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act for greater accountability of members of the service, the new discipline regulations, the new promotion regulations and a whistleblowers' charter signify unprecedented reform and a new era in policing. I am determined to see these measures through and to do my utmost to ensure we never have a repeat of the appalling scenario which arose in the past and had the potential to do lasting damage to the confidence in and trust of the Garda Síochána that all our citizens deserve.

There have been calls by some Members of the House for the establishment of a police authority. Dáil Éireann is Ireland's police authority and accountability through the Minister and the Commissioner is the most appropriate mechanism for democratic oversight of a modern police and security service.

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