Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the initiatives in place within An Garda Síochána for tackling racism, homophobia, and upholding the human rights standards within society here. [15489/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Within the Garda Síochána there have been a number of developments designed to bring regard for human rights to the core of policing in Ireland. Section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 sets out the functions of the Garda Síochána to include (a) the protection of life and property and (b) vindicating the human rights of each individual. Section 16 of the Act of 2005 provides a revised form of declaration for persons joining the Force, which specifically directs each new member's attention to the need to have regard for human rights in carrying out policing duties. In addition a 32 page guide to the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 has been distributed to each member of the force. The guide outlines the key principles of human rights obligations as they apply to operational policing.

Human rights compliance also features strongly in the Garda Síochána's corporate strategy "A Time for Change (2007-2009)". That document commits the Gardaí to engaging in "a culture of public service grounded in honesty, integrity, respect, professionalism and accountability". It further commits to "compliance with the highest standards of ethical human rights and service standards."

The Garda Síochána has a comprehensive education, training and information system for the professional development of all members. This development programme incorporates human rights training. This applies both to Garda students and at supervisory and managerial development courses. In addition the preparation of a new statutory Code of Ethics is well underway.

The ongoing need to "human rights proof" Garda policies has been fully accepted by Garda management. In this regard the publication of the Irish Human Rights Commission policy statement on the Human Rights Compliance of An Garda Síochána on Monday last and the recommendations they have made will be considered carefully by my Department and the Garda Commissioner so that the matter is the subject of ongoing improvement and development.

At an operational level I understand that there are a number of practical initiatives underway involving the Garda Síochána and disparate groups within society to ensure that every effort is made to uphold individual human rights and tackle racist and homophobic incidents.

These initiatives include

• ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Minister for Integration in relation to the integration of migrants and in relation to monitoring of incidents of racism.

• extension of the remit of the Garda and Racial Intercultural Office (GIRO), which has responsibility for co-ordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing in the area of ethnic and cultural diversity, to also include groups representing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities and organisations representing persons with disabilities.

• the training of over 600 Ethnic Liaison Officers to link with members of ethnic minority communities and the traveller community.

• the adaptation of the PULSE system to record incidents of a racist nature.

• the active interaction with members of ethnic minority communities as part of the Garda Síochána's commitment under the National Action Plan against Racism.

• close liaison with the Gay and Lesbian Network (GLEN) to develop jointly a guide to best practice on policing and the LGBT communities.

• the development of plans to have a trained LGBT officer in each Garda Division

• awareness of LGBT issues now forms part of the professional training of new Garda recruits