Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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665. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timelines with regard to planned changes to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate; the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on these timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11354/21]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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666. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she anticipates being able to publish the general scheme of the policing and community safety Bill. [11369/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 666 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to the rapid implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Our aim is to deliver a new approach to policing and community safety, increasing police visibility in communities and focusing on preventing crime and harm, and delivering a professional, ethical, modern and effective police and security service that is well-managed, cost-effective, properly trained and equipped, and is clearly accountable.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I will shortly bring the General Scheme of a new Policing and Community Safety Bill to Government for approval. Once approved, it will be sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and published.

The legislation will provide for a new governance and oversight framework to strengthen the internal governance of An Garda Síochána and to ensure strong, truly independent external public oversight of policing. Specifically in relation to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, it will provide for the merging of the broad-ranging oversight functions of the Policing Authority and the inspection functions of the Inspectorate in a new, stronger independent oversight body. Extensive consultations have taken place with key stakeholders including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Policing Authority and the Garda Commissioner in the course of the development of the Scheme.

In advance of the introduction of this new legislation, the important oversight work of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate will continue.