Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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1495.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received the report from the Policing Authority on Garda public order training; and, if so, will this report be published. [31633/24]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1559.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the fundamental review of the November Dublin riots is complete; and if she will publish the results of that review. [32424/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1495 and 1559 together.

At the outset I am sure the Deputy would want to join me in paying tribute to the rapid response on 23 November of An Garda Síochána and the other emergency support services, which brought the unrest to a halt and quickly restored order to the city.

As the Deputy will have noted, An Garda Síochána continue their investigations in relation to the series of serious public disorder events and to date a total of 49 people have been arrested in this ongoing investigation.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

Following any emergency operation, An Garda Síochána’s practice is to conduct an operational debrief to identify any lessons to be learned and to inform the development of future policing operations and responses. That has been completed in this instance and I can assure the Deputy that acting on that learning is a priority for the Garda Commissioner, who has already taken a number of follow up actions. Increased strength incapacitant spray was issued in February 2024 and 600 smaller round shields have been procured and provided to public order units. Three new public order vans have been commissioned and work is ongoing on a business case to procure two water cannons. Garda management are also considering any further actions deemed necessary on foot of the debrief.

As the Deputy may also be aware, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate published its report ‘Public Order Policing – A review of practices in the Garda Síochána’ in 2019. The Policing Authority has held a number of oversight meetings with An Garda Síochána to consider the progress made in the areas highlighted in the report including the command structure, policy, training and the process of review and learning lessons.

I very much welcome the Authority’s ongoing engagement with the Commissioner in relation to the implementation of the Inspectorate’s recommendations, and it was in the context of this work that last year, I requested the Policing Authority to advise me on what else might enhance policing performance and support Gardaí in the exercise of their lawful powers in situations such as arose in Dublin on 23 November 2023.

In particular I asked that the Policing Authority might look again at the steps already taken by An Garda Síochána to implement the Garda Inspectorate 2019 report, including questions as to whether additional equipment, ICT, vehicles or training are needed, and if any changes to policies, procedures, or indeed the law are required.

I am advised by the Policing Authority that this will be considered at this week's Policing Authority meeting on 25 July, and subject to any suggested amendments, it is envisaged that they will report to me shortly thereafter.