Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The amendments were brought forward to ensure the absolute independence of the policing authority in the exercise of its functions. They seek to remove ministerial interference from the functions of the authority in each place they are provided for. There should be no need for the authority to seek the consent or approval of the Minister at every turn. Such limitations only restrict the effectiveness of the oversight of the authority. Without our amendments the Bill only creates a middle-man structure, in which the authority will function at the behest of the Minister of the day. This is not true reform but the creation of a puppet body that will have little impact on the oversight of An Garda Síochána. We cannot have a situation where the Minister will control every move made by the authority. We have had ministerial control over gardaí before and all know how that turned out. What we need is true independence. The authority must be a separate arm of the system and not subject to ministerial order. It should not be accountable to the Minister. That is what the amendments aim to achieve.

In line with the need for the policing authority to be truly independent, the Minister should not be permitted to appoint the Garda Commissioner or deputy commissioners. The role of the authority under the Bill, in recommending people for appointment, is not strong enough. Sinn Féin wants to amend this provision to allow the authority to directly appoint the Garda Commissioner and deputy commissioners. If the Garda Commissioner is to be accountable to the authority, the authority needs to have effective power mechanisms to oversee the appointment and removal of the Garda Commissioner. The same must be true in the removal of officers of senior rank. That is why we are seeking to amend the Bill and will press the amendments.