Dáil debates

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions

Garda Operations

2:55 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which policing methods are in line with best practice internationally, with reference to the need to ensure adequate rapid deployment capability and the optimum use of resources in terms of location and response to various criminal challenges, while at the same time maintaining good relations with the public; if she will bring about particular initiatives of a helpful nature in the ongoing battle against criminal activity, including further amendments to the bail laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17128/16]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of the question is to compare our policing practices and deployment and rapid response capabilities, in terms of the best possible use of the numbers available, with those in other jurisdictions.

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The report of the Garda Inspectorate on crime investigation gave us an analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes and it is an extremely good report. If the recommendations in the report are followed, it is intended that the methods and investigative processes used by An Garda Síochána would align with best international practice. Our goal should be to have a policing service, An Garda Síochána, that meets and exceeds the best international standards. There is no reason not to have such a policing service.

After the report was published, An Garda Síochána established a strategic transformation office at Garda Headquarters to co-ordinate and facilitate the implementation of the reforms that arose from that inspectorate report. The recommendations in the report are an important component of the overall justice reform programme that has been put in place in recent years. The reform programme is being overseen by the Cabinet committee on justice reform, which is chaired by An Taoiseach. We invite the chair of the independent Policing Authority to the committee from time to time, as well as the Commissioner and her senior staff, to oversee the delivery of the reforms recommended by the inspectorate.

As I stated already, the implementation of those reforms is clearly supported by the significant investments we have made in policing resources under the framework of the capital plan, including €205 million for technology, as well as a series of investments in An Garda Síochána. We have three new headquarters and a new headquarters in Sligo. There is a significant programme of investment supporting the Garda to continue to reach the highest standards. Deputy Durkan said that this is necessary and I agree with him.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Is consideration being given to community policing? How does our situation compare with that available in other jurisdictions? To what extent do we now rely on more mobile community policing? For instance, in other jurisdictions police officers on mopeds or motorcycles have replaced police officers on the beat. To what extent can we learn from the changing policing methods in other jurisdictions, with a view to making it easier to deliver a high-quality but more effective and efficient service, as is required of all branches of service?

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I encourage Members to look at An Garda Síochána's strategy statement for the coming year, which outlines the priority areas in terms of the work of, investment in and direction of An Garda Síochána. Community policing is identified as a priority in that statement. We are fortunate in Ireland with regard to the relationship between An Garda Síochána and the local community. A number of people have said that they feel that is in danger of being lost at present. The new recruitment will help to deal with the issue and it is a priority area. An Garda Síochána and the Commissioner recognise, as I have emphasised repeatedly, the importance of community policing as a front line of defence against criminal activity and in supporting communities. Of course, policing is also changing in many ways in terms of the challenges of cyber-crime, terrorism and security, and gardaí need to be appropriately equipped. We need to look in particular at the interoperability of our Irish systems with international databases, which is an ongoing challenge that I intend to address.

3:05 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. Perhaps she will clarify if any comparisons have been made, in the context of the effectiveness of community policing, between policing the beat on foot and policing via a motor car or other mechanically propelled vehicle. Obviously it is possible for the police officer in those circumstances to cover a much wider area and to respond more rapidly and possibly more effectively. Will the Minister indicate to what extent we should consider the armed threat posed by criminal gangs to our police force and how can we augment the Garda capability in those circumstances?

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the Deputy's last point, An Garda Síochána has shown again and again that it will stand up to the threat from criminal gangs and the Government will certainly support the force in doing that. The €50 million that was allocated two weeks ago to An Garda Síochána is evidence of that support. The threat from criminal gangs is severe. They are engaged in a cycle of revenge and retaliation which has to be interrupted. An Garda Síochána has shown over many years that it is capable of dealing with dissidents and with those who threatened our peace. The Garda was capable of dealing with the threat of violence in Limerick and in other places where 24 out of 25 murders were solved. I have no doubt they will do the same in the current investigations. There are over 20 people before the courts at present in relation to those investigations but An Garda Síochána wants to prevent such occurrences, to investigate them and to prosecute them.

With regard to the comparisons I do not think it is a question of either-or: we need both community policing and we need armed response units and we will have a new armed response unit in Dublin later this year. An investment has been made in that which is important. I believe we need a variety of policing methods in order to deal with modern criminality in all its guises.