Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy chose not to respond to the Minister for Justice and Equality when she invited him to Farmleigh to give his views and proposals in respect of the work that was taking place.

The policing reforms include the establishment of the independent policing authority, the appointment of a chair designate for the new authority and the first ever international competition for the position of Garda Commissioner, which was run by the Public Appointments Service and involved the chair designate of the new authority. A similar open competition is currently under way for the positions of deputy commissioner of An Garda Síochána. There is also the provision of enhanced powers for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, the passing of new legislation to protect whistleblowers and the reform and extension of freedom of information legislation. I expect that the legislation establishing the policing authority will be passed by the House by the end of May.

These are the most far-reaching reforms in policing in this country since the foundation of the State.

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