Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I was saying, the strategic plan element is important. There are four issues in this section. One is the length of the strategic plan. Policing is a hugely human resource-intensive activity. To put a strategic plan in place will take significant additional resources. I know the Minister is aware of this as she has secured an additional budget to increase the resources in An Garda Síochána. I am querying the need for a strategic plan, when we have an annual service plan. Was consideration given to having a longer strategic plan, a five to ten-year plan, because there are annual service plans? That is my first question.

The second issue relates to section 63(4), which provides that "The Garda Commissioner shall, before preparing a strategic plan, consult with such persons as he or she considers appropriate." Will the Minister explain the thinking on limiting it to the complete discretion of the Garda Commissioner? In my experience, the best plans are made with a wide variety of contributions and there is incredible discretion being allowed to him or her, whoever it may be.

My third point relates to the review and evaluation of the performance of the strategic plan. It links to my last point about the measures of achievement. How will that happen in practice? First, if the Garda Commissioner decides who to consult and puts together the plan and that plan is in place for a period of three years, as is suggested in the Bill, how will the performance be measured and evaluated? I suggest that if there was wider stakeholder engagement at the earlier part and wider consultation in the preparation of the strategic plan, that it would lead to a better, more thorough and more informed evaluation and measurement of the objectives of the strategic plan. I would appreciate if the Minister would answer those questions.