John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will; thank you.

Lack of personnel and money for overtime payments, not to mention the cuts in spending on Garda infrastructure, have had a detrimental effect in Waterford, as they have had in many other areas. Last year a Private Members’ Bill in which I attempted to tackle the issue of restorative justice was rejected by the Government. In 2014 the Garda dealt with an increase in the number of burglaries and thefts across the division in Waterford. The city has seen the highest increase, with 638 reports of burglaries. At the same time, there are now just three community officers for the entire city who at any time could be sent to another unit. There was a promise in the programme for Government to have more gardaí working with communities. Now, however, we are at the stage where there might be only one community officer operating in Waterford city this year.

Gardaí are reporting a worrying increase in the use of heroin in the city, which is having a devastating effect on local communities, as well as contributing to the increase in the number of burglaries. At the same time, cuts in staffing have resulted in the number of drugs units in Waterford being reduced from two to one. There are a number of days in every shift cycle on which there are no drugs unit officers on duty, of which major players in the drug scene in Waterford are only too aware - so much for the fight against drugs. How is it acceptable, particularly when Ireland is recognised across Europe as having a serious problem with illegal drugs, that there are days in a major city on which no members of the drugs unit are available?

It is estimated that the Garda's IT systems alone need an upgrading investment of €40 million to bring them up to international standards. The ageing fleet of Garda vehicles has previously been described as a ticking timebomb. Last year’s Garda Inspectorate report showed that Garda sergeants and inspectors were so overburdened by administration work that they only got to spend 10% of their time working with their charges. This has been recognised for many years, but in spite of repeated requests from former Garda Commissioners and gardaí to bring the IT systems to international standards, it has still not happened and I have not heard of any major investment that will be made for several years. Even if there was some moderate investment, it would certainly fall short of the €40 million required. I am sure Garda representatives have made this point to the Department. Gardaí in my constituency have told me that an upgrade is badly needed.

Senior gardaí and the Commissioner are prepared to deny that the effects are being felt in communities, presumably out of fear of a political reprimand. If we are to have transparency in the policing system, we need complete disclosure about the challenges facing the force, without fear of damage to senior officers’ career prospects. How else will we foster a culture of speaking out? Some very good gardaí work tirelessly on behalf of the public and do their best under extraordinary and difficult circumstances. They will maintain, however, that there is a still a fear of speaking out. There is still that culture and it would be naive of Members to think it is not the case. Elements of the Bill will not do anything to change this.

It is one matter to bring forwards legislation, but it is quite another to give people renewed confidence in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. In the light of recent controversies, the general public is already sceptical, to say the least, that GSOC will ever adequately address the issue of accountability in the Garda. Further clarifications or amendments are required to the legislation if the Minister is serious about convincing people that the Bill will address An Garda Síochána’s deficiencies, as well as ensuring a level of professionalism and transparency in the force. All Members want to see a competent, cohesive and top-class Garda force. It is not easy for Opposition Members to criticise the Garda, particularly when criminal elements are only too delighted to see this happen. However, if there is something wrong within the force, it must be acknowledged. It has been acknowledged by many Members for several years that there are serious deficiencies in the Garda. We are at a stage where crime levels are dramatically on the increase, particularly the sale of illegal drugs and cigarettes and gang crime. It is now that the Garda needs the community to come to the fore in order to help it. Many in the community want to do this. However, to work with any organisation in the State, one must have trust in it. All of the controversies in recent years have in some way damaged that trust in the Garda. Will the Minister re-examine the Bill and some of the points made by Members on the Opposition Benches? We have done so for the betterment of the legislation and the Garda which should have nothing to fear in having to be held accountable.

All of us as legislators are accountable for everything we do and rightly so. We all know that in many situations the gardaí are the last resort for many people who suffer as a result of anti-social behaviour, if some criminal damage has been done, if they have been abused etc. The gardaí need to have the people's trust. Unfortunately, not enough effort or thought has been put into this Bill to deal with accountability.

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