Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in the programme for Government on justice issues, particularly regarding extending Garda oversight and accountability. [16402/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Since my appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality, I have overseen a significant programme of reform in Garda oversight and accountability.

I was very pleased to establish an independent Policing Authority. The Policing Authority represents one of the most significant developments in policing since the foundation of the State. It constitutes a major element of the comprehensive programme of justice reform which is being delivered by the Government, aimed both at ensuring continuing confidence in the work of An Garda Síochána and at supporting the women and men of the service in the work they do on our behalf every day.

I strongly believe that the Authority has made a significant impact since its establishment in January 2016. I am informed that the Authority has been focusing, as a matter of priority, on its functions that have statutory deadlines and reform significance. This included agreeing An Garda Síochána Strategy Statement July 2016-2018, establishing Policing Priorities and a Policing Plan for 2017, launching the new Garda Code of Ethics and reporting on An Garda Síochána Protected Disclosures Policy. It has also met regularly with the Commissioner and her senior team to discuss the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing matters, as well as undertaking selection competitions for appointments to senior ranks within An Garda Síochána.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána is safeguarded. I am committed to ensuring that we have in place the most effective possible mechanism for the investigation of complaints. GSOC has been operating for 10 years now, and I believe it is time to examine the legislative provisions relating to the manner in which complaints are made to and dealt with by GSOC. I recently sought and was granted Government approval to prepare Heads of a Bill to amend the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to enable GSOC to carry out its functions more effectively and efficiently and help continue to ensure proper accountability of the Garda Síochána in providing a service to the public.

The Garda Inspectorate performs a very valuable service in seeking to ensure that the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness in the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána is maintained. The Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland', published in December 2015, is a comprehensive report into all aspects of the administration of An Garda Síochána. Last July the Government approved my proposals for a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the report of the Garda Inspectorate and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government to increase the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. In this regard it sets out an overall vision of a Garda workforce of 21,000 comprising 15,000 Gardaí, 2,000 Reserves and 4,000 civilians to be achieved incrementally over five years in tandem with the delivery of reforms. The delivery of this overall vision is supported by the provision in Budget 2017 for the recruitment of 800 trainee Gardaí, up to 500 additional civilian staff and 300 Reserves.

The Garda Commissioner’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, published in June 2016, is the vehicle for the implementation of the Inspectorate’s wide range of recommendations aimed at her organisation. I have asked the Policing Authority to monitor implementation of these agreed recommendations by An Garda Síochána and to report to me on progress on a quarterly basis. I received the first report 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 it and each future progress report in due course.

The Modernisation and Renewal Programme will also address many of the detailed recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate's 2014 Report on Crime Investigation. Important strategic issues being addressed include, a new Performance Accountability and Learning Framework, (and IT system); a Control Room Strategy to provide for centralised handling of all requests for service from the public, linked to a modern Computer Aided Dispatch system; improved arrangements for Rosters and Duty Management; enhancements to Incident Management, Investigation Management and Victim Engagement. Taking account of the number and complexity of many of the recommendations, full implementation is being pursued on a phased basis.

I believe the new Code of Ethics, prepared by the Policing Authority and An Garda Síochána in conjunction with a range of stakeholders, is an important milestone. I also welcome the commitments in the Policing Plan 2017 to embed this Code into the day to day thinking and actions of the organisation.

The Government has recently approved 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 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. These are people of the highest calibre and will bring the necessary diversity of thought and expertise to the task. It is clear from recent events that systemic issues which have emerged require the establishment of this expert group on policing to report in a timely way on the further changes now necessary to meet the requirements of a modern police force. Crucially the Commission may bring forward immediate proposals and rolling recommendations for implementation, that it considers are required to be addressed in the short-term, in advance of its final report. The final report is due by September 2018.

Both I and the Government are committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána continue to provide a modern, efficient and accountable policing service and I have every confidence that the new structures which have been put in place are a significant contribution to that.