Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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94. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received the fourth report on the assessment of implementation of changing policing in Ireland from the Policing Authority; the key findings of this report; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3835/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I published the fourth progress report prepared by the Policing Authority on the implementation of the agreed recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate Report "Changing Policing in Ireland" on 23 January. It is available on my Department's website. This is in keeping with my commitment to publish all such progress reports.

The Policing Authority is performing an important task in overseeing what is a major five year reform programme underway within An Garda Síochána through the vehicle of the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021.  The Authority's s fourth progress report identifies welcome progress in a number of areas including in the areas of governance, reporting, pace, resourcing and prioritisation. These issues were highlighted as areas of concern in previous reports and it is welcome that An Garda Síochána is striving to address these matters. I understand that progress on these areas will be further reported on in the fifth progress report expected in April.

As the report makes clear, while there has been progress, significant improvements continue to be required particularly in the key areas of HR and ICT which are enablers for wider change across the organisation.

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. Last year I put in place a structured process of engagement between my Department and An Garda Síochána at a senior level  to address concerns highlighted by the Authority's assessment and to implement any necessary corrective action. That group will meet in the coming days to discuss the issues raised by the fourth progress report and other key elements of the reform agenda including civilianisation and redeployment.  I also intend to meet the Commissioner in relation to the reform programme shortly.

The report highlights the critical importance of the 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 implemented by An Garda Síochána, supported by the Government and overseen by the Policing Authority, has the capacity to achieve this.