Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members for their contributions on this matter. I listened to their contributions carefully. On balance, when it comes to the reallocation of funding for the Votes that is required for the commencement of the legislation tomorrow, I do not think there is vigorous objection to the proposal that has been proposed. I have heard what Members have had to say in respect of many other issues.

Deputies Farrell, Connolly, Stanley and Gannon all mentioned issues that arose outside these Houses yesterday. I am conscious of your ruling, a Cheann Comhairle, so I will not violate it. One of the bodies to be established tomorrow is Fiosrú. It is the body to which complaints are to be made if people allege misconduct against An Garda Síochána. We have structures in place to deal with complaints against members of An Garda Síochána. It is the case around the world that it is appropriate that all police forces should not regulate themselves or decide on complaints against themselves. We have a proper statutory body in place to deal with any complaints if people wish to make complaints.

A number of colleagues mentioned the issue of the absence of gardaí or that they wanted to see more gardaí on their streets. That is a consistent complaint by Members of this House. It reflects very positively on An Garda Síochána that people, whether they are in Galway, like Deputy Farrell, or in west Cork, like Deputy Collins, or in Laois, like Deputy Stanley, all want to see more gardaí on the streets. That is part of my political objective as well. I have stated to senior management in An Garda Síochána that what the public want to see is greater Garda visibility and I have asked for greater Garda visibility and more gardaí put on the street. We are beginning to see changes in that regard. Deputy Gannon referred to sections of his constituency. I think that at present the Deputy will see in his constituency greater visibility of gardaí. I would be interested to see if he will notice that over the next while.

I am also conscious of what Deputy Carthy said about the new statutory bodies and the oversight bodies being put in place. I believe that the community safety partnerships will work and be effective. Deputy Carthy also raised the issues with the criminal injuries compensation tribunal. It generally is the case, I regret to say, that at the end of each year there are not sufficient moneys in place for awards to be paid out to persons who succeed before the tribunal. However, they all ultimately receive their money, even though that is delayed. Nonetheless, one of my political objectives is to put the criminal injuries compensation tribunal on a statutory basis. It is in the programme for Government. I cannot say that that will be done this year but it is something I want to see done during my term of office.

Deputy Kelly mentioned that he would have done things differently in respect of the establishment of the new bodies. It is appropriate, however, that the Garda authority and the Garda Inspectorate have been merged. Deputy Kelly also raised issues in respect of the democratic oversight of the Garda. It is important that the Department of Justice retain a role in having oversight of An Garda Síochána in the way there is political oversight at present.

Deputy Kelly also spoke about Garda culture. I believe the Garda culture is changing significantly from what it was at the time of the Morris tribunal. All these statutory bodies were put in place by the 2005 Act to a large extent because of the findings in the Morris tribunal.

Deputy Kelly acknowledged that some of the issues he raised with me in the Chamber I then raised with the Garda Commissioner. Deputy Kelly also raised a series of other issues, some of which I have replied to through parliamentary questions. I have sought to do so. He asked me if I could state whether these issues had been brought to my attention by the Commissioner under section 41. I cannot do that, a Cheann Comhairle. Section 41 is a process and a procedure that is protected by confidentiality. It is a secret process whereby I am updated by the Garda Commissioner on issues he believes are important.

Deputy Gannon mentioned that he wanted to see a different and improved Garda performance. I am pleased to say to the Deputy that there are performance regulations that will also be commenced tomorrow. I think they will improve matters.

Deputy Stanley indicated that he wanted to see more gardaí on the street.

Deputy Connolly referred to yesterday's issue. I repeat that we have Fiosrú in place and that is to deal with complaints.

Finally, I note what Deputy Tóibín said. My view, however, is that the relationship between the public and members of An Garda Síochána is still very strong.

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