Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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139. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to deal with the urgent need to update Garda disciplinary regulations which presently date back to 2007. [37674/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The disciplinary process in An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 as amended in 2011 and 2015.

A number of amendments to the Regulations are in train in order to facilitate the commencement of the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 in relation of the removal of senior officers of An Garda Síochána. The provisions contemplate a role for the Policing Authority in the removal process where the alleged breach relates to policing services. Work on the preparation of the proposed changes is well advanced in my Department and I expect to seek Government approval of the draft Regulations in the next number of weeks.

Work is also progressing in my Department on a number of other amendments to the Regulations have regard to developments including in case law over recent years. Work on these amendments will be further progressed following the completion of the amendments necessary to commence the outstanding provisions of the 2015 Act.