Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to implement changes in the interest of transparency within An Garda Síochána, in view of allegations that it is one of the most secretive police forces in the world. [46366/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The loaded description of the Garda Síochána as one of the most secretive police forces in the world simply does not stand up to scrutiny. In fact, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 has extensive provisions on the accountability and transparency of the Force. Under the Act, the Minister sets policing priorities each year which must be taken into account by the Garda Commissioner when drawing up the annual policing plan and the 3 year Garda strategy statement. All of these documents are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, and the Commissioner attended a meeting of the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights in January this year to discuss the 2009 policing plan. The Commissioner now also attends meetings of the Public Accounts Committee as accounting officer for the Garda Vote, and answers detailed questions relating to the Force.

Under the Act, the Commissioner is also fully accountable to Government for all aspects of the Garda Síochána. Furthermore, the Garda Ombudsman Commission has independent oversight of the investigation of complaints against members of the Garda Síochána, and designated officers of the Ombudsman Commission have Garda powers in carrying out any investigations. The Garda Inspectorate now also carries out inspections and inquiries into aspects of the operation and administration of the Force, and reports to the Minister on how best to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness. These reports are also laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Bearing in mind that the Garda Síochána is not only our national police force but also our national security and intelligence agency, this is a level of accountability, openness and transparency which compares well to comparable agencies abroad.