Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I followed this debate online and on TV when it was on previously so I am delighted to have some time to contribute to it myself. The importance of this Bill cannot be underestimated or understated. It sets in motion the conditions for a modern framework for policing with a view to improving performance and accountability within An Garda Síochána. It is the outworking of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, a report which followed wide consultation across the State. I attended a meeting in Thomond Park in January 2018 as part of that consultation. Of course, there were, and continue to be, some concerns about the Bill but, on the whole, it is a welcome introduction and should aid in modernising our local police force.

The establishment of a new framework for governance and oversight is extremely welcome. The Bill establishes a recognisable structure, which will allow for better accountability in respect of policing in this State. I welcome this proposal contained within the Bill and also acknowledge as a positive step the creation of a CEO-type position for the Garda Commissioner, allowing whoever is selected for that role to drive reform within An Garda Síochána in respect of workforce planning, human resources, industrial relations and finance. These powers are accompanied by better governance and accountability through the establishment of the board of An Garda Síochána.

External oversight will be added to by the creation of the policing and community safety authority and, of course, an ombudsman. The policing and community safety authority is particularly welcome as it will streamline and merge the various functions of the Policing Authority and the Garda Inspectorate. While it will not have responsibility for executive functions, it will streamline the oversight bodies and maintain a function of oversight over the performance of gardaí. I hope it will work well. The replacement of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, with an ombudsman-deputy ombudsman model will be met with some hesitation by the public but ultimately may serve as a better model. I hope and believe it will because many people do not have much confidence in GSOC's ability to resolve the issues they have brought to it. I hope a named person will make the service more publicly identifiable and that it will also have a larger remit with regard to the types of alleged wrongdoing it will have the power to investigate.

The recognition of community safety as a key tenet of the modernised police force is an additional positive step and recognises that a great deal of the work of gardaí involves dealing with those in our society who are particularly vulnerable and who may not necessarily be involved in criminal activity. I will highlight a recently announced initiative of An Garda Síochána in my constituency of Limerick City. Gardaí will work to support those found using crack cocaine through the adoption of a more holistic approach, referring them, with their permission, to the Ana Liffey team with the hope of helping them to deal with their addiction issues. I understand the law engagement and assisted recovery project has been quite successful in Dublin since its inception in 2014 and I welcome its extension to Limerick. One of the most notable and problematic developments in Limerick during the years of the Covid pandemic was the rise in the use of crack cocaine. I have raised my concerns about this issue in this Chamber on many occasions over recent years. The type of work An Garda Síochána does through projects such as the law engagement and assisted recovery, LEAR, project is often unseen and unreported but this type of work that gardaí do matters a great deal and is to the betterment of our society. The recognition that this type of policing is not just the responsibility of An Garda Síochána alone is very important.

Another prime example of how effective joint operations can be is the launch in March 2021 of Operation Copóg in Limerick, which involves collaboration between Limerick City and County Council and An Garda Síochána. The operation ended on 4 September 2020 and made a significant dent in the operation of a drugs gang in the St. Mary's Park area of our city of Limerick.

While all the problems have not been resolved, good progress has been made. This joint initiative between Limerick City and County Council and the Garda was established as a response to feedback from stakeholders, me and, most important, residents of St. Mary's Park who have had enough of the ongoing drug dealing in their area for years. The operation had many successes. Derelict sites that had been used to store illegal drugs were boarded up and, where necessary, demolished and the Garda conducted operations that dealt a financial blow to the drug gangs in the area. During the term of the operation, millions of euro in illegal drugs and cash were seized, with €2.8 million seized in the first seven months alone. In addition, 61 people were arrested on suspicion of the sale and supply of illegal drugs in the first year and 49 vehicles were seized in the same period.

While the operation officially ended on 4 September, the pressure has been kept up in the area. It culminated this week in the shuttering of what was colloquially referred to as a drug supermarket in the area. It was great to see it closed down this week.

I record my appreciation to the Limerick local authority and An Garda Síochána for their work on Operation Copóg. I also acknowledge the engagement the Garda undertook with me, local residents and others so that the residents of the area could be kept abreast of the operation's progress. This type of policing, reacting to the concerns of residents, is most welcome and long overdue. Long may it continue.

Unfortunately, there remain many issues in the area. I hope we will see more of the positive interventions needed to support the local community and the ongoing regeneration programme in the area. While it has been delayed, I hope we will soon see the Garda, in conjunction with paramedics and the HSE, operate a 24-7 de-escalation unit in support of those with mental health challenges in my constituency. These are the types of initiatives that may not grab the headlines but they are crucial life-saving measures in which we can be proud to have our police force involved. From my discussions with the local joint policing committee, Garda management seems fully committed to supporting this new unit and local gardaí are being trained in how best to support those with whom the de-escalation team will deal.

The creation of a policing and community safety authority that includes an inspection function and powers that include the ability to conduct unannounced visits to Garda premises will be a positive development ensuring greater oversight and accountability within An Garda Síochána. These, in the main, are the positive steps. I look forward to the implementation and establishment of the new bodies.

It is my hope that these changes will come with a renewed emphasis on community policing. In Limerick, we are seeing a dramatic reduction in the numbers of community gardaí. As a result, some local communities lack a Garda presence. This problem needs to be addressed. We are failing on that issue, which must be addressed as soon as possible. The lack of community trust and of a visible Garda presence has allowed drug dealers and their gangs to proliferate and thrive in some of our areas. The preventative work the community gardaí can do is immeasurable and the lack of such a presence in communities has allowed some to be lured by the temptation of drug dealing and its accompanied wealth.

In the round, Sinn Féin very much welcomes this Bill.

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