Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate. At the outset, it is important to acknowledge the work that went into the reports that led to it and I thank those involved. Lessons should be learned from the reports and their recommendations should be put in place as speedily as possible. At the outset of such a debate, it is important that Members, in their capacity as legislators, should indicate their support for the work done by the Garda Síochána and should state that the Garda has done and continues to do excellent work in our communities. To a large extent, it has served us well in the period since its foundation at the establishment of the State.

Obviously, times have changed and in recent years in particular, undoubtedly there has been a serious reduction in respect for the Garda Síochána within the community. There is also no doubt that some of the incidents to which the reports that led Members to this debate have referred have contributed to such a reduction in respect. I refer to the cases in Donegal and Grangegorman, the Carthy case, the Rossiter case in my home town and the recent case in Gort. I also refer to the over-the-top actions of the Garda in certain circumstances at Bellanaboy, including its recording of elected public representatives like me, who were going about their duly elected business at what was an absolutely peaceful protest. All such incidents have contributed to the lack of, or decrease in respect for the Garda Síochána that has taken place over the years.

Obviously, there are other reasons also, such as a discernible general reduction in respect for authority figures in life. It is important to learn from what has happened and from the reports, to acknowledge the work done and to implement the reports' recommendations.

I wish to refer briefly to a number of issues that must be considered. Apart from their normal duties as gardaí, I acknowledge the involvement of local gardaí in their communities. In the locality from which I come, gardaí still perform excellent work in community organisations such as sporting clubs, residents' associations or whatever. At present, however, some gardaí do not live in the communities they serve and there is rapid rotation in some cases, particularly of senior officers. These issues must be examined and addressed. The key to this entire area is the link between the gardaí and the community and the consequent respect and co-operation that the community and the gardaí can gel together. Certainly, the fact that some gardaí do not now live in the communities they serve does not help that gelling between themselves and the local community, and the position in the senior ranks and the quick transfer of gardaí serving in senior ranks is also not good for morale locally and should be examined and addressed. For example, within a period of approximately two years three different superintendents served in Clonmel in south Tipperary. There is something not right about that. I draw no inference about any of those superintendents, all of whom did a good job, but serving such a short period at a senior level within a force like the Garda Síochána cannot be good for the force at local level over a period of time and it should be addressed.

There is no doubt that the vast majority of gardaí do an excellent job and that the various incidents outlined in these reports have led not only to a reduction in respect for the force but also to a reduction of morale within the force. What is vitally important is the connection between the Garda and the community and the accountability of the Garda to the community. People feel these important aspects do not now exist or have failed in the past, and we should take this opportunity to install full transparent and independent accountability. Many people feel the accountability that pertained in the past, through the Commissioner and the Minister, has failed. I had hoped that the model of the Ombudsman's office in the North would be adopted and I would hope even at this late stage that another look might be taken at it because that is one of the key elements in ensuring a fully efficient and effective community-based Garda Síochána. There must be a situation where the public feels the gardaí are absolutely accountable and that if a person makes a complaint, the matter will be examined independently and reported fully.

We expect that the Garda Ombudsman Commission will be established in the new year. While the Minister should have gone further with it, even that commission's effectiveness will be subject to the resources and funding available to it and I worry that the funding for that area in the coming year may not be adequate to make it effective and efficient and to ensure people feel that it is doing a good and transparent job.

I have raised on a number of occasions the question of the link between the community and the Garda, particularly in the area of the appointment of community gardaí. Not enough is being done in that area to ensure that the link is built up. In many areas there are no dedicated community gardaí, but there are certainly not enough such gardaí. The key to turning around difficulties like antisocial behaviour and people feeling that there is no point in reporting matters to the Garda, and to turning around the decrease in respect for the Garda Síochána, is to get dedicated community gardaí working in and liaising with local communities, dealing with local tenants' organisations and dealing with young people on a daily basis. If such a high profile highly visible community Garda operation were done properly, it would provide a highly effective and efficient Garda Síochána which would be accepted by the overwhelming majority of the community. It would also have the advantage of nipping in the bud the difficulties that will arise down the road because, as we all know, youngsters in local areas are taking the example of their older brothers, sisters or neighbours and the crime cycle continues. Even if one deals with the initial difficulty, then somebody else takes that person's place and the cycle continues. I would hope that the Minister in the area of operations, which he will state is a matter for the Commissioner, would lay down guidelines and emphasise the need for highly visible, high profile community gardaí on the beat in all towns — certainly in all urban areas and large housing estates — throughout the country. That is the key to the future of the Garda Síochána.

I hope the Minister might take some of those points on board in the recommendations and decisions he will make in introducing change into the Garda Síochána. The other point with which I will finish is the importance of the civilianisation of the Garda at all levels, not only behind the reception desk in the local Garda station but right to the highest levels of the force.

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