Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

This board is a key factor in the effective running of the Garda Síochána. If one promotes good people with the necessary skills to do the job, the factors that must be addressed will be overcome. The Morris tribunal highlights a litany of poor management. I was recounting to the Minister last night that my wife visited a friend recently. Her friend's husband spent his career in the Garda Síochána. He said everything I had been saying about the gardaí, namely, poor management has given rise to many of these problems and gardaí are not living in the locality. Obviously he served at a time when gardaí lived in their locality. I do not know how this aspect can be tackled. I know people have a fundamental right to live where they wish, and no one wants to interfere with that. However, if some positive incentives were introduced, it would be beneficial to the overall operation of the Garda.

The Boston police commissioner, Kathleen O'Toole, said that good cops do not necessarily make good managers because different skills are required. I noted that comment because it is quite perceptive and true. There needs to be criteria for promotion. I welcome that people from outside will be involved, which is essential. The criteria for promotion should be examined closely.

I am pleased the Minister mentioned the Local Appointments Commission, which is made up of people within the public service and is seriously flawed. I discussed the issue recently with people in other positions who would use more pejorative language in that regard. While there is no political interference, and probably not much canvassing going on, the commission is seriously influenced by the county managers' association. There is a resonance in what some gardaí say, namely, that good people have been passed over, while people who are on the inside track have got through. Unfortunately, people on interview boards tend to be influenced by people they like or whatever. However, it is fundamental in the Garda or any other business to get the right people into the right positions. There are currently many round pegs in square holes in local government, which is a monument to the "old boys" network.