Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ross has pointed out that 200 top posts in the Garda are decided on by the Minister for Justice and Equality. This includes the appointment of the Garda Commissioner, one deputy commissioner, eight assistant commissioners, 43 chief superintendents and 147 superintendents. The reality is that the Government acts on the advice of the Garda Commissioner when appointments are made to senior posts within the Garda. Deputy Ross is proposing that appointments at top level in various parts of the public service, including the Garda Síochána in the cases of the Garda Commissioner, the deputy commissioners and the assistant commissioners, should be made following an open competition conducted by the top level appointments committee. It is clear that the process set out in the Bill before the House has the potential to discourage suitably qualified candidates from applying, given the risk of a very public rejection. It could result in a long appointment process delaying key appointments, which is particularly inadvisable when it comes to policing in this country.

It is fair to commend the Government on initiating an independent expert review of the performance, management and administration of the Department of Justice and Equality. This review is to report in July. It is worth noting that amendments to the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 will be enacted to enable Garda whistleblowers to report their concerns to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I do not doubt that the House will welcome new legislation to strengthen the powers and the remit of the ombudsman commission. I welcome the Government's announcement, which was made prior to the publication of this Bill, that it intends to select and appoint the new Garda Commissioner by way of open competition. This will give the Garda a new opportunity to move forward from the top down. The Minister has announced plans to put a new independent Garda authority in place by the end of this year. The important reforms that have been proposed provide for the complete redesign of many aspects of the running of the Garda. Deputies of all parties and none should make a significant contribution to the debate on this protected disclosures legislation when it comes before the House, especially on Committee Stage. I have no doubt that this will happen. This process will provide for the much more comprehensive reform that is required.

Many Members of this House have close family connections with the Garda. In many cases, family relations were or are members of the force at all levels. While it was disappointing to learn about some of the failings that have been noted and publicised in recent months, the fact remains that the Garda from the top down has given generally great service to the people of this country for more than 90 years. However, change is needed. I commend the Minister on the speech she delivered in this Chamber last evening. She has promised to bring forward the necessary legislative proposals to enable the Garda authority to be in place by the end of the year. In my view, this is the most important step to be taken before we consider the proposals set out in this premature Bill.

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