Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

A key aim of the Government in establishing the authority is to provide a system of oversight of An Garda Síochána that is effective and fully independent. In this context the Government is of the clear view that the membership of the authority should not include serving politicians, and the Bill provides that they will be ineligible to be members.

I recognise that the Senator's amendments are related to a further proposed amendment that will not be discussed. However, in any event, the Minister would have serious concerns with any proposals to remove the ineligibility provisions which prevent politicians from serving on the authority. As I have indicated, this would run counter to the firm policy of the Government.

The approach of the Government on this matter is to remove the operation of the authority from the political arena. At the same time it is important to bear in mind that it will be open to committees of the Oireachtas to raise relevant matters directly with members of the authority.

I understand that the Senator's overall approach is based to some extent on the system applicable to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which has 19 members, comprising ten political members and nine independent members appointed by the Minister with responsibility for justice. However, the Minister believes that the composition of the Northern Ireland Policing Board must be viewed in the context of the specific requirements in the North for cross-party and cross-community support for the policing arrangements in that jurisdiction.

It is relevant to note that in its report published in October 2014 the joint Oireachtas committee recommended that the Scottish model would be appropriate for our jurisdiction. The legislation for the Scottish authority specifically prohibits serving politicians from membership. In the circumstances, the Minister is inviting the Senator to withdraw the amendments.