Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the view expressed by the former Vice Chairman of the Policing Board of Northern Ireland strongly supporting the case for the establishment of an Independent Garda Authority; his view of same; if he will reconsider his decision not to establish such an authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30629/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of the view expressed by the former Vice-Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board advocating the establishment of a similar policing authority in this jurisdiction. The perceived advantage of such an authority is that it interposes an additional layer of independent accountability between the political process and the management of An Garda Síochána.

The idea of such an authority makes perfectly good sense in the context of the UK regional police structure where there is no corresponding regional democratic unit, and in Northern Ireland, of course, where there are unique requirements associated with the need for confidence building in a cross-community environment.

I believe, however, that where there is a single national police force the case for the setting up of a policing authority to act as a link between democratic institutions and the day to day responsibility for operational policing loses much of its force.

Furthermore, I would contend that this additional layer in our scheme of things would very seriously dilute democratic accountability and political responsibility, as well as the performance and effectiveness of An Garda Síochána itself. The relationship between the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, the Government and the Houses of the Oireachtas has developed over time. The accountability of An Garda Síochána to this House, both directly and through the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has been strengthened by the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

To establish a separate authority for An Garda Síochána would also raise the question of who should serve on such an authority and how they should be selected. I believe it is more appropriate that An Garda Síochána should be accountable to the Government and to the Oireachtas — which are fully representative of Irish society — than to an unelected body.