Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to acknowledge the hurt, loss and sense of suffering on the part of all victims of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland over the years. I also want to acknowledge the broad welcome the appointment of Mr. Drew Harris as Garda Commissioner has received. This is the first occasion upon which the independent Policing Authority has recommended a candidate to Government, following a rigorous selection process conducted by the Public Appointments Service on its behalf. A great deal of work went into ensuring that the widest possible field of qualified candidates put themselves forward. I welcome the successful conclusion following the recent decision by the Government to appoint Mr. Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner.

As a well-respected Belfast-based newspaper stated during the week, Mr. Drew Harris is not an outsider, he is a policeman, he is an Ulsterman and he is an Irishman. He has defended the institutions of democracy and rule of law all his life. His father was murdered by terrorists with a political agenda in breach of democracy and rule of law. As Garda Commissioner, Mr. Harris will have the full functions of that role, including safeguarding the security of the State. On taking up office in September, he will, like all entrants to An Garda Síochána, make a solemn declaration, under section 16 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the State. The incoming Commissioner is a person of huge ability and the highest integrity. I know he has enormous respect for and knowledge of An Garda Síochána, having worked with members of the organisation as close colleagues over the course of his career.

As I have said, this is the first occasion the independent Policing Authority has exercised its function in regard to the filling of this important position.

All those who put themselves forward were subject to robust scrutiny by an independent expert interview board which determined that Mr. Harris was the best person for the office. lt is only right and fair to give him the opportunity to be judged based on his performance in his new role which he will take up at a time of major reform and investment that will redefine An Garda Síochána as an organisation. In addition, the start of his tenure will coincide with publication of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland which will chart a new course for policing in the decades ahead. I am confident that Mr. Harris has the necessary ability and vital policing, security and change management experience required to lead An Garda Síochána at this critical time. He will bring his talents to the challenge of transforming An Garda Síochána in order that it will become a model of policing excellence, equipped to deal with the huge range of challenges such as those facing police services worldwide. He can be assured of my support and that of the Government and most members of the House in his endeavours.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that dealing with the legacy of the Troubles on the island is a complex and sensitive task, one to which there are no easy solutions. In my previous role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade I spent a great deal of time working with the main parties in Northern Ireland and the British Government to identify ways to address the legacy issues that continue to hold back politics in the North. In 2014 we, collectively, agreed a framework of measures in the Stormont House Agreement. The Garda authorities will continue to co-operate with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in all relevant criminal investigations, be they historical or contemporary, in accordance with the arrangements in place. Regrettably, the political impasse in the Northern Ireland Executive has delayed the roll-out of these measures under the Stormont House Agreement. With the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Coveney, and the Taoiseach, I will work hard to seek the re-establishment of the Executive for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland.

On the issue of unresolved and Troubles-related criminal investigations in this jurisdiction, the Garda authorities will fully pursue any new evidence or information that comes to light, with a view to bringing the perpetrators of crimes to justice.

My Government colleagues and I look forward to working with Mr. Harris as he takes up this exciting, not to say challenging role, in which we wish him every success.

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