Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a matter of great importance that the public has faith and belief in the integrity and credibility of the Garda Síochána. It is equally important that the members who serve in the force can have pride in the force they represent, in the way they engage with the public and that facilities are put at their disposal to enable them to do their job as one would expect. The day to day running of the Garda Síochána is a matter for the Commissioner at all times. The Commissioner of the day advises Government through the Minister for Justice and Equality, in respect of preparation of budgets and requirements for facilities.

The committee has met on several occasions as I have outlined. It has dealt with the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into the Guerin report. That matter has not been finalised yet. It dealt with the preparation of a draft scheme of a Bill to deal with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, and with the process for a review of how to deal with a couple of hundred cases that came in covering a range of issues about, complaints against and matters relevant to the gardaí, going back over a very long period.

The Government made two decisions, one, to advertise for a Garda Commissioner and a process for doing so, including advertising internationally. I think those advertisements will be placed this week or next week. It also decided to establish an independent Garda authority. That is a major decision on the part of Government and will bring about a new way of making appointments to An Garda Síochána.

A seminar was held in Farmleigh dealing with the groups and organisations which wish to make submissions and give their views on how an independent authority might function, how it should be set up, its terms of reference and so on. These are important matters to consider. I expect that when the committee meets next week we should be in a position to make recommendations as to the sort of structure, nature, composition and work of the independent policing authority. In the latter part of the year we want the process for the appointment of a Garda Commissioner and the process for the setting up of the independent Garda authority to coincide. It would be appropriate for the person to be considered for the position of Garda Commissioner to have some capacity to reflect on the structure of an independent statutory authority.

All of that is being done to improve the perception, relationship and reputation of An Garda Síochána to allow it have standards that apply across the board of which it can be proud. The public will know that this process is removed entirely from the political process and that the police force can do its job as befits a modern democracy in the appropriate way.

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