Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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363. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Changing Policing in Ireland report and if she will address the major concerns raised therein. [46204/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate "Changing Policing in Ireland - Delivering a Visible, Accessible and Responsive Service", which I published on 9 December, examines the operation and administration of An Garda Síochána and is one part of a review of An Garda Síochána required to be undertaken under the Haddington Road Agreement. The other part, which relates to the pay and conditions of members and appropriate industrial relations mechanisms, is ongoing under the stewardship of Mr Ray McGee, formerly of the Labour Relations Commission. I should mention that I have arranged for the report to be sent to Mr McGee in order that he may take it into account in completing his part of the review.

The report will make an important contribution to the on-going reform agenda in An Garda Síochána. It identifies scope for broad-ranging reforms in relation to the structures of An Garda Síochána, its deployment practices, culture, human resources practices and financial management. Clearly, a report of this nature requires a considered response. Some of the recommendations are far-reaching and, if implemented, would involve a fundamental restructuring of An Garda Síochána across the country. It is, therefore, important that the full implications of the recommendations and the analysis underpinning them are considered in detail before any decisions are taken. The Government is determined that whatever action might ultimately be taken in response will not interfere with the closeness of the relationship between An Garda Síochána and the communities it serves. In fact many of the recommendations are aimed at enhancing and developing frontline policing and community supports. With these considerations in mind, I have put in place a process to seek the views of the Garda Commissioner and other bodies to whom recommendations are directed. I have requested them to respond within a reasonably short period of time, having regard to the size and scope of the report. The report will also be considered by the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform in the New Year.

When considering the report it is important to contextualise the recommendations. Many of them arise from historical underfunding of, for example, critical ICT infrastructure which the Government has sought to rectify by providing an additional €205 million over the next number of years. It is also important to keep in mind the excellent work that members of An Garda Síochána do day in and day out to ensure the safety of our citizens throughout the State. Undoubtedly, the report identifies scope for broad-ranging reform but the need for on-going reform is a challenge that all organisations face, a fact acknowledged by the Inspectorate in the report itself. In this regard I welcome the Garda Commissioner’s intention to publish a Strategic Transformation Programme for An Garda Síochána shortly. I understand that the Programme will address many of the themes covered by the Inspectorate report and will also be sufficiently flexible to take on board any other agreed reforms.