Written answers

Thursday, 13 December 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Discipline Regulations

5:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the regulations governing the involvement of members of the Garda in party political matters and their attendance at political functions; if his attention has been drawn to the reported attendance of a senior Garda officer at a fund raising function (details supplied); if such an attendance would be consistent with regulations and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34524/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Síochána Discipline Regulations were introduced by Statutory instrument in May 2007. Included in the "Acts or Conduct Constituting Breaches of Discipline" is the following:

"Prohibited spare-time activity, that is to say—

(a) identifying himself or herself actively or publicly with a political party,

(b) behaving in relation to political matters in such a manner and in such circumstances as to give rise to reasonable apprehension among members of the public in relation to his or her impartiality in the discharge of his or her duties, or

(c) engaging (whether for reward or otherwise) in any activity which, though not mentioned in subparagraph (a) or (b), is prohibited by the Commissioner (by either general or special directive) as being—

(i) likely to interfere with the proper discharge of his or her duties, or

(ii) likely to give rise to reasonable apprehension among members of the public in relation to his or her impartiality in the discharge of those duties, or

(iii) for good and stated reasons, inappropriate for members to engage in."

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the circumstances of the officer's attendance at this social event with friends did not constitute a breach of the discipline regulations. The officer was a passive attendee in a social context and took no part in political matters. The officer has not engaged in any prohibited activity which would interfere with the discharge of his duties or which would give apprehension in relation to his impartiality in the discharge of his duties.

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