Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and thank the Minister for bringing it before the House. I have just three points to make in the time allowed.

First, I very much welcome the appointment of Judge Rory MacCabe to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Having reviewed his CV, I think he is eminently suitable for the role. Not only is he suitable as an individual, but also, collectively, it makes sense to appoint him to GSOC. There is a fair amount of diversity of backgrounds and skill sets in GSOC now. There is Emily Logan, with a background in management, human rights and children's rights, and Hugh Hume, with a background in policing outside this jurisdiction. To add a member of the legal profession would make perfect sense. There is a good skill set and good balance. The Minister might comment in her closing remarks, though, as to whether GSOC is limited to three commissioners only or whether it would be possible to appoint an additional commissioner if required, taking in some of the points other Deputies have made.

The second point I would like to make concerns Judge MacCabe and GSOC. The important functions are accountability, oversight and balance. GSOC must been seen to be promoting good policing but also taking issue with poor policing. The vast majority of members of An Garda Síochána are competent and capable. We have seen that throughout the Covid pandemic over the past number of years. Any interactions that I have had with GSOC have been very positive and professional. In general terms, I think it gets the balance right.

I wish to make a point regarding An Garda Síochána. It is a human organisation, just like the parliamentary community here in Leinster House. By extension, any human organisation is imperfect. An Garda Síochána is an imperfect organisation. It is aware of that and it would be the first to admit it. However, it must be doing something right, because if a Government closes down a Garda station in rural Ireland, it will get an earful and people will not allow that to happen. People want more gardaí, Garda stations and Garda cars. An Garda Síochána must be doing something right, and it is. Indeed, 99% of the garda do an exceptional job and they should be supported. However, it is important that GSOC is also there to provide oversight and the public accountability when things go wrong.

Finally, on another metric that does matter, the roll of honour of the number of members of An Garda Síochána who have been killed in the line of duty since the foundation of the State, the centenary of which is next year, shows the level of commitment from 99% of the gardaí out there. It is important that they are supported. In summary, I would like to wish Judge MacCabe and the new commissioners well in their new roles. I wish Ms Justice Ring well in her new role and thank her for her service and contribution to the country over the past three years. I ask the Minister to clarify whether it is possible to appoint a fourth commissioner to focus on some of the points mentioned here today.

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