Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2011

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Garda Operations

8:00 pm

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to request the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to examine the practices, policies and procedures of the Garda when policing public order situations, including the manner in which training is translated into practice in the management of incidents of crowd protest or civil disobedience by groups or persons. [35570/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The preservation of peace and public order is one of the core functions of the Garda Síochána and the management of this function in situations of crowd protest or civil disobedience requires, among other factors, skilled personnel to ensure the safety of all concerned. I am informed by the Garda authorities that public order training forms part of the Garda student/probationer training programme with additional specialist training provided for members selected for duty with Divisional and regional public order units.

Further training is provided for officers in the management of incidents requiring the deployment of public order units. In recognition of the sophisticated response which is required in handling situations relating to crowd protest or civil disobedience, the comprehensive training provided by An Garda Síochána includes nine separate elements from Garda induction to the supervision and tactical command of such incidents.

I understand that Gardaí training generally, which includes training to handle public order situations, was reviewed by the Garda Síochána Training and Development Group in 2008. Implementation of the recommendations of the Report is ongoing and forms part of the Garda Síochána commitments contained in the Croke Park agreement.

In view of the process which is already underway under the Croke Park agreement in relation to this matter, I do not propose, at this point in time, to request the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to examine Gardaí Síochána practices, policies and procedures concerning the policing of public order situations and training under section 106 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 . I will, of course, keep the matter under review, and I will consider carefully the views of GSOC. I would also point out that there is no impediment to GSOC independently investigating any individual complaints concerning Garda misconduct in public order situations.

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