Written answers

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Reform

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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56. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the Garda Commissioner can deliver the reforms necessary for a well functioning, transparent and accountable police force in view of the recent controversies within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32750/17]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have full confidence in the Garda Commissioner as she proceeds with the implementation of the most ambitious programme of reform ever embarked on by An Garda Síochána.

Last July the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the recommendations. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve and to double the number of civilians by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.

Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports have already been published on my Department's website.

I believe the only way to deliver world class policing in Ireland is to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs and that those resources operate in an organisation whose culture is open and responsive and where the best management systems and practices are deployed. I am confident that the reform plan that is being pursued by the Commissioner, supported by the Government and overseen by the Policing Authority, has the capacity to achieve this. It will not be done overnight and it will not be done easily, but with the necessary support and oversight, it can be achieved over the next four years.

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