Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

In some ways this is a reflection of the reactionary nature of the proposals rather than a proactive approach and engagement in substantial reform. In a sense, a piecemeal approach does not work and that is part of the problem. It is a little rich to suggest we cannot have an amendment referring to the Garda authority but someone can be politically appointed to chair the Garda authority, assume that position and be in place already. This exposes some of the problems. A comprehensive approach would not deal with it in this way. Rather, it would start by looking at what we need to have to ensure real policing by consent and real democratic accountability. That would mean a substantial authority with a large level of input from civil society.

The reason Deputy Wallace mentioned the appalling starting pay for new gardaí is precisely because we fully respect the job that gardaí do. The level of payment is wholly unacceptable for the people who do that job. If the Government values them, it should look at that as well.

While it is true to say that some things are beginning to be addressed, there will be a lead-in. It is not true to suggest everyone agrees the problems with Garda Inspectorate report are real and need to be addressed. The Commissioner did not agree with it. She was quick off the mark to say there is no evidence of massaging of the figures and so on. She promptly disagreed with the report and downplayed its findings. Likewise, this is the problem with the protected disclosures Bill. The need for this reform has been highlighted in the public domain precisely as a result of the heroic endeavours of members of An Garda Síochána who have spoken up about what has gone on and certain behaviour, in particular the behaviour of those at senior level.

Although there is a mechanism in place, what is the reality on the ground? One Garda whistleblower has been out of work for ten months at this stage. Before Christmas, he and his partner had to take an injunction against An Garda Síochána to stop it from holding an internal investigation into a spurious non-complaint, allegedly made by his partner against him. The man is living with this. He went to GSOC and the commission took his complaints seriously but he has been left isolated and vulnerable. He is not on his own. Others are in the same position in respect of investigations going on for months.

We are trying to improve the situation. We know certain measures have been put in place but the Government will not improve things if those at the top are the same as they were before. There needs to be a far more substantial shake-up. The creation of the Garda authority, and vesting power with it rather than the Minister is part of that process and is critical.

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