Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, I am not.

2 o’clock

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the report of the O’Higgins commission of investigation. I am reminded of my time as a member of the Committee of Public Accounts when, along with my colleagues on the committee, I met with Sergeant Maurice McCabe. I want to place on record my view that it is vital that we continue to value the important role played by whistleblowers acting in the public interest. We would not be here today debating this report and the lessons that must be learned, and that have been learned, were it not for Sergeant Maurice McCabe, and I thank him for that. I had the opportunity to meet Sergeant McCabe at the PAC and to hear his evidence. The committee, and ultimately all of society, benefited from that evidence and the report which is before the House today.

We must not lose sight of victims in the political debates in the House and in media debate. At times, victims were clearly let down and did not receive the service and the diligence that they had every right to expect. Lessons must be learned and lessons have been learned. Through the protected measures, I would like to think we now have an environment much more favourable towards people who come forward and put what is often sensitive information into the public domain and with the correct authorities so the information can be assessed. The whistleblower has a very important role to play in Irish society.

I am concerned at times about efforts by a small number of people in the House and outside to make general derogatory aspersions on all members of An Garda Síochána. It is quite clear that no organisation and no rank is beyond reproach or beyond question - that Ireland of the past must remain in the past. The overwhelming majority of members of An Garda Síochána serve our country and our communities with distinction and they do us proud. They work hard and at times in extraordinarily difficult and dangerous circumstances. Currently, we see the challenges facing the men and women of An Garda Síochána in the north inner city of Dublin. We all stand behind the gardaí in their work to tackle brutal, violent gangland crimes. It is easy for politicians and commentators to criticise the Garda on reading the O’Higgins report - some criticism is certainly justified - but it is important to note that some of the criticism in the report clearly rests well beyond the responsibility of the Garda. The responsibility for addressing some of the criticism rests in this House, on the floor of Dáil Éireann. Our gardaí need to be adequately supported and resourced to do their job, work that the Minister for Justice and Equality is continuing to carry out, and the report is quite clear on the past shortcomings in that regard.

I will focus on just two areas of the report, specifically areas in which the House must continue to do better in addressing the challenges and what the Government is doing now in that regard. First, some of the deficiencies identified by the O’Higgins report relate to inadequate supervision of junior gardaí. I am please that significant changes have been made in that area. Under operational regulations, daily performance accountability and learning framework, PALF, meetings take place at which incidents occurring in the previous 24 hours are discussed with the district superintendent or the inspector on his or her behalf and with gardaí and supervisors. Directions and instructions are provided on matters under investigation. It is a much more collaborative and inclusive reporting and accountability mechanism. In a further recent development, a nominated supervisor is now allocated to all matters under investigation. Required actions are marked on associated PULSE incidents under investigation and must be attended to by investigating gardaí. All incidents are reviewed by managers to ensure all actions and investigations are progressed.

Changes have also taken place in the training programme for gardaí to enhance policing services. Since the reopening by the Tánaiste of the Garda College in September 2014, all Garda recruits undertake the new two-year training programme leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing, accredited by the University of Limerick. This programme is the outcome of a comprehensive review of foundation training for entrants to An Garda Síochána and exemplifies best practice. Phase one, which lasts 32 weeks, is based in the Garda College and places a strong emphasis on problem-based learning, with students learning in small groups through engagement with realistic policing scenarios. Phase two, which lasts for 65 weeks, is primarily based in Garda stations, with appropriate training and development structures in place, including access to a trained tutor garda and a permanently appointed supervisory sergeant who are thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme. During the course of their placement, trainees move through three development stages - assisting their garda tutors, taking the lead role and being assisted by the tutors, and finally the autonomous stage, in which they are deployed in regular policing activity and work independently within the operational unit. Over the course of the placement, gardaí also return to the Garda College for a number of weeks to further enhance their skills in specialist areas, including sexual assault, intelligence-led policing, file preparation and court presentation. Phase three consists of seven weeks of preparation for final exams and assessments.

I outline these measures because some elements in the debate have implied that nothing has changed. This is simply not factually correct. The programme of change and reform within our justice system continues and is led by the Tánaiste. For some people to simply suggest that nothing has changed and that nothing has moved on is not accurate and is not fair to the rank and file members of An Garda Síochána. I have no doubt that all of these changes will considerably enhance the delivery of policing services in the State. These new improvements to training must be part of our collective response to addressing some of the issues in the O'Higgins report and continuing to support An Garda Síochána in responding to the deficiencies highlighted in the report.

The report also talks about the impact of inadequate Garda stations and infrastructure on morale and the ability of gardaí to carry out their duties. In some cases, gardaí have been working in sub-standard stations with sub-standard facilities. My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, is acutely aware of the issues. This is why, in my previous role as Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, the Tánaiste and I launched, in October 2015, the first programme of refurbishment and development of Garda stations and facilities in quite some time, the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021. This programme provides for over €60 million in direct Exchequer funding as part of the Government's capital plan and also provides for public private partnership. The direct Exchequer funding includes €18 million provided under the Garda Vote, which is in addition to the funding allocated under the OPW Vote. The programme was developed by the Garda and the OPW having regard to the strategic priorities of An Garda Síochána, and includes the development of new stations through the public private partnership model, major refurbishment of stations including facilities for meeting victims of crime, essential remedial works to existing stations, the development of large-scale property and exhibit management stores, upgrading of cells and the provision of improved custody management facilities.

The programme includes 34 projects at 30 locations throughout the State plus 15 cell improvement projects. These projects are in addition to the three major projects already under way at a cost of €100 million to provide divisional or regional headquarters in Galway, Kevin Street in Dublin and Wexford town. The Exchequer-funded projects will be delivered through the OPW in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. In many instances the work will commence this year and the projects will be delivered through the lifetime of the programme. A public private partnership will be developed to facilitate larger-scale projects including new stations at Clonmel, Macroom and Sligo. A public private partnership will be developed in conjunction with the National Development Finance Agency. I am pleased to have had an opportunity within the last Government to work with colleagues and the Tánaiste in delivering this programme of investment in Garda stations and Garda infrastructure. The deficiencies in Garda facilities are highlighted in the O'Higgins commission of investigation report which is before the House for debate.

While there is significantly more work to be done, I would say that the role of a whistleblower must be valued and is valued by this Government and very much by society. It is important not to lose sight of victims among the media and political commentary in the House and in society over the past few weeks. It must be a core resolve to support victims, and we have to continue to support An Garda Síochána. It is too simplistic an analysis to suggest that all of the deficiencies highlighted by the report should land simply at the door of An Garda Síochána when some of those deficiencies are being addressed and will continue to be addressed by the Government and the Oireachtas.

See this speech in context