Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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86. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on reforms required in An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24392/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government last week agreed the membership and final terms of reference for the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The terms of reference encompass all functions carried out by An Garda Síochána including community safety, state security and immigration, and also the full range of bodies that have a role in providing oversight and accountability including the three statutory bodies, but also my Department and the Government. They provide for a comprehensive examination of all aspects of policing in Ireland.

The individuals who make up the Commission, chaired by the outgoing Chief of the Seattle Police and former Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate Kathleen O'Toole, have impressive track records in their respective fields. The membership seeks to strike the right balance between domestic and international perspectives and between academic, operational policing, community and victims’ perspectives, change management, governance and indeed Government experience. They are people of the highest calibre and will bring the necessary diversity of thought and expertise to the task.

Issues which have arisen - many historic, some contemporary - mean the time is right for a fundamental examination of all aspects of policing in this state. This is an opportunity to stand back and examine how we are to be policed as we approach the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána. At the same time the crucial work of day-to-day policing and oversight continues. This includes an extensive programme of reform underway in An Garda Síochána based on the reports of the Garda Inspectorate and under the independent oversight of the Policing Authority. These reforms, which affect all aspects of the administration and operation of An Garda Síochána, must not be impeded or delayed in any way by the establishment of the Commission. I have referred the agreed recommendations of the Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. I received the first progress report from the Authority in January and have published it on my Department's website. I have recently received the second progress report and I am currently considering its contents. I will publish this second report shortly and each future progress report in due course.

The oversight, accountability and related functions of the relevant statutory bodies will continue to be discharged by them during the tenure of the Commission and will represent an essential input into its work. Crucially, however, the Commission may bring forward immediate proposals and rolling recommendations for implementation that it considers are required to be addressed in advance of its final report, which is due to be delivered in September 2018.