Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that all the families impacted by the incidents seen by many of us in the recent RTÉ series have had to revisit issues that happened in the past. It has impacted them, and they have suffered over the years because of the way in which those investigations were conducted. Such incidents cast a shadow over the trust we place in our criminal justice and policing systems to ensure justice is done. It is important to note, however, that these investigations happened several decades ago and the safeguards available then to those who were the subjects of investigation were very different to those in place now.

It was following the work of the Ó Briain and Martin committees that the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which regulates the treatment of persons in custody, the Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act 1986 and the Criminal Procedure Act 1993, concerning a new system of appeal based on miscarriage of justice, were introduced. The available safeguards were further strengthened in the years that followed. Since 2015, An Garda Síochána has had a code of conduct. This is signed by all members and forms the core of their commitments in respect of behaviour and standards. The Commissioner is completely committed to upholding the highest standards in our policing service. The Protected Disclosure Act 2014 provides legal protections for anyone aware of wrongdoing who speaks up. A protected disclosure policy is in place in An Garda Síochána which is designed to ensure that any member who raises issues will be fully supported and that all Garda members know they have the right and responsibility to raise their concerns and be confident they will be listened to and that those concerns will be addressed.

We have a robust system of Garda oversight in place, including the introduction of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, which was established in 2005. My Department is in the process of further strengthening our oversight structures through the policing, security and community safety Bill. The legislation is intended to implement the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, the first principle of which is that human rights are the foundation and purpose of policing. The Bill will include an expanded remit for the Ombudsman and the establishment of a new policing and community safety authority, which will be provided with extra inspection powers and greater independence. Governance within An Garda Síochána will also be enhanced by the Bill.

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