Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

106. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which good policing practice continues to evolve in line with the best international practice with a view to ensuring that criminal gangland activity and white collar crime is seriously tackled in a way to dissuade such activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27748/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Report of the Garda Inspectorate on Crime Investigation is of value in providing a welcome analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes.

I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 22 June which referenced the recommendations of the Report, that were designed to ensure, amongst other things, that An Garda Síochána's investigative processes align with best international standards.

The recommendations in the Report also form a key component in the overall justice reform programme which has been put in place in recent years. Implementation of this programme is being overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform, chaired by An Taoiseach, and this Committee has taken on a role in overseeing delivery of the reforms recommended by the Inspectorate.

In June of this year, the Garda Commissioner published the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 which takes on board the key findings of various reports into the organisation by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and expert groups, amongst others. The purpose of the Programme is to professionalise, modernise and renew the organisation to ensure that it can meet present and future policing and security challenges.

The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to an Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. The Programme for Government commits the Government to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country and to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000, doubling the Garda Reserve and greater civilianisation.

The Programme also commits the Government to supporting the Policing Authority and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission in providing a high degree of oversight and accountability for An Garda Síochána.

I am in ongoing contact with the Commissioner in relation to the wide range of issues arising from the Inspectorate report and continue to receive updates on progress. There will also of course be a central role for the Policing Authority in overseeing the implementation of the reforms identified by the Inspectorate.

Taken together, I believe that the above measures will ensure that An Garda Síochána can deliver a 21st century police and security service that will accord with international best practice.