David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government of course acknowledges and shares many of the concerns expressed tonight. However, in its counter-motion, the Government has set out a comprehensive approach to addressing many of these concerns. The Government is fully cognisant of the seriousness of the issues that have arisen recently in respect of the enforcement of road traffic legislation. If not dealt with fully, those issues, together with the troubling findings of the report of the Fennelly commission, have the real potential to undermine the traditional strong public trust that An Garda Síochána has enjoyed since the foundation of the State. Trust in policing is a cornerstone of any democracy and, once broken, is difficult to restore. The Government is determined that this will not happen and is committed to continuing the major programme of reform under way in respect of the oversight of An Garda Síochána and within An Garda Síochána itself.

There is frequent commentary by Members of this House and others to the effect that little or nothing is being done to reform policing in Ireland. That is simply not the case. During the lifetime of the last Government, the independent Policing Authority was established to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána with the goal of depoliticising policing. The powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Garda Inspectorate were also strengthened. Protections were introduced for whistleblowers. I could go on. The fact is that we are in a much stronger position in terms of oversight than at any time in the past.

Inevitably, strengthening oversight leads to stones being turned over and wrongdoings being revealed. We in politics need to be mature enough not to demand a head at every revelation. We need to have patience and allow the bodies that we have established to get on with their work and we need to support them in that. The Policing Authority made its first appointment to the senior ranks of An Garda Síochána last month. This followed a successful competition, open to those at inspector level and above in An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. This is a potent symbol of the authority's reforming power.

I am strongly of the view that in the short period since it was established, the authority has demonstrated that it has the capacity and determination to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána, including through its public meetings with the Commissioner and senior management. Most importantly, in addition to overseeing the general performance of An Garda Síochána, it is overseeing the reform programme under way within the organisation and, specifically at the Tánaiste’s request, the implementation of the agreed recommendations of the inspectorate’s report, Changing Policing in Ireland. That report covers the full gamut of organisational matters including governance, structures, deployment of resources, ICT systems, human resources management and culture and financial management. Its implementation will address many of the problems within An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána cannot be, and is not, a passive spectator in all this. It published a Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 last year to chart the way forward to a modern, professional police service that is trusted by the public and provides an effective service to all communities throughout the country. Approximately 130 reform initiatives are encompassed in that programme, which reflect the themes of the inspectorate’s report. The programme is well under way and is backed by a major investment programme in terms of both personnel and capital, including in ICT, the fleet and other facilities.

In respect of personnel, I draw Members' attention to a significant reform, namely, the twin commitments on the part of the Government to reach 15,000 sworn officers by 2021 alongside a target of 20% civilian staff over the same period. The figure of 20% civilian staff equates to 4,000 civilians, a doubling of the current number. Implementation of this reforming measure will facilitate not only the filling of critical capacity and skills gaps in An Garda Síochána with suitably qualified civilians, but also the redeployment of significant numbers of gardaí from administrative and technical posts to front-line policing duties. The appointment of three senior civilians to take responsibility for the functions of legal and compliance, strategy and transformation, and chief information officer are part of this initiative to bring in outside expertise. Other important reform initiatives that have been completed include the establishment of victim support offices throughout the country, upgrades to PULSE to improve victim services and incident management, and enhancements to the management of property and exhibits.

As I have said, the Policing Authority is overseeing the reform programme. It is without doubt conscious of the priority of this area of work and has established a dedicated committee to ensure that it receives focused attention.

At the Tánaiste's request, the authority is to report to her regularly on progress on the reform agenda. The Tánaiste has undertaken to publish those reports.

We all want to see change and I understand that there is a sense of frustration at the pace of change. However, I am keen to caution against expecting resolution of myriad issues overnight. Real change takes time. It involves changes in behaviour on the part of everyone in an organisation. It is not achieved by issuing circulars. In the Policing Authority we now have an independent body with the capacity to oversee reform. The Government is fully committed to supporting the authority in carrying out its functions. It has made clear that further resources will be made available to support the authority in its task, if required.

The Government has also moved to strengthen the powers of the other bodies that make up the oversight regime, namely, the Garda Inspectorate and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. The House will be aware that the Government recently approved the preparation of legislation to enable GSOC to carry out its functions more effectively and efficiently as well as continue to ensure proper accountability of An Garda Síochána in providing a service to the public. The Garda Inspectorate has invaluable expertise in policing. Its reports are the basis for the reform programme under way in An Garda Síochána.

Reflecting concerns raised relating to the culture and lack of diversity within An Garda Síochána as well as the need for new thinking, the Tánaiste has tasked the inspectorate with a review of entry routes into An Garda Síochána. The review will be completed this year. It is examining entry routes for police officers from other police services at Garda rank as well as opening up appointment opportunities at the middle and higher ranks to persons outside An Garda Síochána, including persons who are not police professionals but who may have other management experience that would be beneficial to the organisation.

Much has been done and much more is under way. Notwithstanding this I believe it is now time for a fundamental review of policing in the State. I emphasise the term "policing" as distinct from An Garda Síochána.

There have been many reports into An Garda Síochána. Some arose from inquiries into allegations of misconduct while others arose from reviews into aspects of the operation and administration of the organisation. While these have made and continue to make an invaluable contribution to ensuring we have an effective police service, none was tasked with examining policing in a root-and-branch manner.

Institutional arrangements for governance and oversight have evolved significantly in recent years in a piecemeal fashion. An Garda Síochána is approaching its 100th anniversary. Its members have served with dedication and courage over the decades. Sadly, some have made the ultimate sacrifice. In any event, Ireland is significantly different today from the country it was at the time of the foundation of the State. It is facing challenges rooted in the rapidly changing nature of society and of crime. I believe it is right that we take a step back in these circumstances and ask some fundamental questions about how our State should be policed in future as well as what structures are appropriate. Is a single police and security service still the best model? To whom should it be accountable? What sort of culture should it embody?

I believe the decision taken by Government yesterday to establish an independent commission on the future of policing will prove to be an important move capable of leaving a valuable legacy. It will allow a mix of Irish and international people of immense expertise and experience to bring their judgment to bear on one of the most important institutions we have. The Tánaiste published the draft terms of reference yesterday and intends engaging with other parties on their views before bringing the document back to Government for approval.

The future of policing concerns all of us. I urge all parties to take this opportunity to bring their collective wisdom to bear on this consultation progress. Against this background, I commend the Government amendment to the House.

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