Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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185. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to rectify problems in the recording systems in breath-testing used by An Garda Síochána to identify drink-driving. [20423/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As I have indicated to the House previously, An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it has put solutions in place to deal with the procedural and practice issues that have been detected to ensure that the errors that have been identified in relation to breath tests/Mandatory Alcohol Testing do not recur. I am informed that An Garda Síochána initially put in place new paper based recording and verification processes, and, in November 2016, a new specific data recording IT upgrade was installed on the Garda PULSE system. The net effect of the new IT upgrade was that personnel now have to record the serial number of the device used for each breath test plus the meter reading before and after the checkpoint was concluded. Data from the device is now used to verify the total number of breath tests conducted at each checkpoint.

The Deputy will also be aware that in addition to outlining the issues, how they had come to light, and the remedial steps taken so far the Commissioner has:

- announced the restructuring of traffic policing with the creation of a new Roads Policing Unit to be led by Assistant Commissioner Mick Finn;

- announced the creation of a dedicated team under newly-appointed Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan to investigate in detail the MATs issue, including with a view to identifying and holding responsible for their actions any Garda members, whether at junior, supervisory or management level, who acted improperly; and

- committed to forwarding the report of this investigation to the Policing Authority and Department of Justice and Equality when completed.

Assistant Commissioner Finn has outlined new arrangements agreed with the Medical Bureau on Roads Safety (MBRS) to the effect that body would supply An Garda Síochána with its data on breath-testing devices on a quarterly basis, in order to ensure an independent benchmark against which Garda data can be measured. The MBRS will shortly be tendering for new breath testing equipment. New equipment which is available in the market place has the capacity to record the time, GPS location and number of persons breath-tested, and has the capacity to download the information automatically, reducing the chances of errors occurring in the data.

The Deputy will be aware that I have written to the Chairperson of the Policing Authority in accordance with section 62O(6) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 (as amended) to report to me on its oversight of the issues which have arisen in relation to mandatory alcohol testing over the coming period. In particular, I requested that an investigation should be conducted to examine all issues arising, addressing to the extent possible the reasons why the issues have arisen; the incidence and scale of the issues; and the solutions implemented to ensure there is no recurrence. It is expected that the Authority will engage outside expertise to carry out this work. The Deputy will appreciate that I need to await the conclusion of the Authority's work in this area before I am in a position to comment further on this matter.

The Deputy will be aware that there is ongoing engagement between An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority in relation to this matter, including in the context of the Authority's recent public meeting with the Garda Commissioner, the focus of which was roads policing, including the issues associated with Fixed Charge Notices and breath test data.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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186. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has met with the Garda Commissioner to discuss the issue of occupational stress faced by members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20424/17]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures in place to assist gardaí who have witnessed traumatic events; and if there is a facility in place for recording the numbers and details of these incidents. [20425/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to a traumatic incident receive the appropriate organisational response and with this in mind the Garda Employee Assistance Service provides a confidential professional support and referral service to both serving and former members of An Garda Síochána, students and their immediate families.

I am informed that details of all incidents that An Garda Síochána respond to are recorded on the PULSE system.

I understand that there is a Peer Supporter Programme operating in each Garda District and that following a traumatic incident a peer supporter who has received appropriate training in helping colleagues cope with the effect of a traumatic incident in the workplace will contact the member(s) who were involved in the incident and offer support.

All the Employee Assistance Officers and approximately 250 of the peer supporters are trained in Critical Incident Stress Management which is an intervention designed to prevent or mitigate any adverse psychological reactions as a consequence of being exposed to a critical incident.

I am advised that an Independent Counselling Service was introduced in An Garda Síochána on 24 June 2016 which provides counselling on a wide range of work and personal related issues including critical incidents, and trauma. The service is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year and provides employees with immediate support from accredited counsellors over the phone and if required follow on counselling sessions in person.

While I have not met the Commissioner specifically in connection with this matter, it has been the subject of discussion from time to time and is also the subject of engagement between my officials and Garda Management.