Written answers

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Policing Authority Establishment

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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260. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on putting an independent mechanism in place to deal with the selection of the proposed new policing authority board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41138/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of the Independent Policing Authority is a major element of the comprehensive programme of justice reform which is being delivered by the Government. In that context the Government has indicated its intention that the new Authority should be in operation as soon as possible.

I have recently published the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2014 which makes provision for the establishment of the Policing Authority. The General Scheme has been referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for scrutiny in parallel with the priority drafting of the Bill which will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as practicable.

The General Scheme sets out a broad range of measures which are required for the introduction of a very significant level of independent public accountability on the part of the Garda Síochána for the delivery of policing services. In the case of the appointment of the members of the new Authority these measures include selection competitions and nominations to be undertaken by the Public Appointments Service in respect of 8 of the 9 members. In addition the appointment of every member will require the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has nominated Ms Josephine Feehily as the first Chairperson-designate of the Policing Authority. Ms Feehily is a woman of unimpeachable integrity and unquestioned ability who will bring a wealth of experience and competences, including in the area of investigations, to her new role. In her capacity as Chairperson-designate she will be involved in the final rounds of the recruitment process of the new Garda Commissioner as well as the preparations to be made for the establishment of the Authority.

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