Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the Policing Authority’s third quarterly report on progress by An Garda Síochána in implementing the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate report Changing Policing in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44214/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware there is an extensive programme of reform underway affecting all aspects of the administration and operation of An Garda Síochána. This follows the Government's approval in July 2016 of 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 Policing Authority is performing an important task in overseeing this process and in supporting the Gardaí in implementing the reform agenda. Its third progress report which I published on 14 September identifies welcome progress in a number of areas including -

- Significant progress in the work of the Garda Victims' Services Offices.

- The establishment of four Protective Services Units on a pilot basis,

- The completion of the Garda Deployment Survey

- Positive progress in the development and implementation of the Divisional/functional model of policing

- Progress on ICT projects,

- The Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation has taken up his post,

- Good progress on the implementation of improved risk management.

As the report makes clear, while there has been progress significant improvements are required in respect of the pace of implementation.

I have made it clear that implementation of the ambitious reform programme must continue and, indeed, must move at a greater pace, to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland. To support An Garda Síochána in addressing the concerns highlighted by the Authority a structured process of engagement is in place between my Department and An Garda Síochána to identify and agree corrective actions. This engagement includes formal monthly meetings at senior official level with the Deputy Commissioner for Strategy and Governance, the Chief Administrative Officer and the newly appointed Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation of An Garda Síochána.

The Report highlights the critical importance of the Policing Authority's role in delivering the full implementation of the reform agenda. It brings a capacity to engage intensively with An Garda Síochána and maintain a sustained focus on what is actually being done and what is being achieved on the ground. Its reports reflect this rigorous approach and provide a very solid basis for engagement between my Department and An Garda Síochána in relation to the programme.

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 An Garda Síochána, supported by the Government and overseen by the Policing Authority, has the capacity to achieve this. It will not be done overnight but as I have made clear, the implementation of the ambitious reform programme must continue and, indeed, must move at a greater pace, to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland.