Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I welcome certain aspects of the amendments before us but the question of a review of the effectiveness of management, the deployment of resources and so on is a matter for the Commissioner. To refer back to the hearings we had on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, having read the Morris tribunal report it was a case of déjÀ vu. Many shortcomings were identified in the Barron report and by the sub-committee which led to a commission of investigation being established to examine various issues but we must await the outcome of that investigation before reaching definitive conclusions. There was sufficient information in it, however, for us to be concerned about weaknesses in procedures and so on. There was a gap of 20 years between the two occurrences, the one on which Mr. Justice Barron reported and the one on which Mr. Justice Morris reported.

I have said previously regarding the debate on the Morris tribunal that the fact that an internal grouping is doing an analysis and reporting to the Minister on a three year basis is welcome but what is needed at this stage is a root and branch analysis of the strength and weaknesses of management and of the structures and procedures within the Garda Síochána. That would be positive and healthy. The inspectorate could play a role in that process and I urge the Minister to take a close look at the matter. When all the Morris reports have been published, the case for that may be even stronger than at present. This measure is a major improvement when compared to its absence in the past.

Self-analysis is healthy in that it would encourage the Garda Commissioner and his senior officers to focus on the absolute effectiveness of the management systems in place. Obviously, the necessity to report on a three-year basis to the Minister will ensure the analysis is fairly thorough. However, it is often the case that the Garda Síochána, like other public bodies and most people — it is a personal characteristic — tends to be defensive rather than self-critical when writing reports. What is needed is a critical appraisal of the quality and effectiveness of the management structures in place. Often, such an appraisal will not come from an internal review.

I was minded of this when the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights had senior gardaí before it in regard to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I would have been encouraged if there had been an acknowledgement of the deficiencies at the time of the bombings but that did not happen. To some extent, those deficiencies were excused. I was concerned by this and retain those concerns.

With regard to the professional standards unit and the reports, the Minister should examine whether some overall independent body, perhaps arising from the Morris tribunal report, is required or would be beneficial at this stage. I am mindful of a comment by Mr. Justice Morris in his report that given the situation which was the subject of his tribunal investigations, he did not believe the deficiencies were a Donegal blip. He pointed out that gardaí came to Donegal from other areas and that the situation there would be reasonably indicative of possible failings elsewhere. I am sure the Minister, more than any of us, wants to see that rectified as soon as possible.