Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----and worked in the best interests of the State. It is very important to acknowledge this at the outset of any debate on this matter. The Garda has earned respect over many years through how it engages with communities and protects our citizens. It now faces very difficult modern challenges due to changes in technology. With drug lords, warlords and global terrorism, new challenges face the Garda Síochána and the State. We must be properly conscious of them and the force should be properly resourced.

I understand the reason the Bill has been tabled, which is to try to separate the accountability of senior-ranking gardaí from the political process. While I understand the good intention behind the Bill, I have difficulties with it because, ultimately, any national agency or organisation should be accountable to Dáil Éireann and the people elected to it. Through the House the Minister for Justice and Equality is accountable for all actions under his or her control, including the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 ensures the Garda Commissioner is accountable to the Committee on Public Accounts with regard to how the Garda Síochána is run as an organisation. This is where accountability should remain. The joint policing committees are effectual to a degree, and I also acknowledge the engagement at local level of senior gardaí, but the potential exists to further this process to ensure local accountability from the Garda Síochána.

I listened to the debate yesterday, and there is no doubt that, like any organisation, the Garda has corrupt individuals. We have seen in the past that individuals in the Garda Síochána have abused their positions and have been found to be guilty of various levels of corruption and activities which ill behove the force. I do not agree with making broad allegations of corruption without foundation. Gardaí are subject to the rigours of the law and the courts just as Deputies and other citizens are. I would be very surprised to hear, in cases in which gardaí have acted inappropriately or in a criminal fashion, that they were not brought before the courts. If there are cover-ups, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission provides an opportunity to address them.

I support what Deputy Neville stated about building trust in the work of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The nature of the Garda Síochána brings individuals into conflict in the line of their work and increases the risk of vexatious complaints. It is important that we have an accountable and trustworthy system through the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

With regard to restructuring Garda resources, we have heard many complaints from people concerned about rural communities. I have met chief superintendents and superintendents in my constituency who have engaged with communities on how they are restructuring their operations. Some rural Garda stations have closed, but if we are to be honest, many of them were essentially closed anyway, with gardaí visiting them for very short periods. The new systems being introduced, with the support of communities, can lead to a more effective police force in these areas with higher visibility and more operations.

I will not support the Bill. I wish again to put on the record my full support, respect and appreciation for the Garda Síochána and for the service it has given the State. There are appropriate accountability mechanisms for people with complaints to bring them before the House, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the courts.

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