asked the Minister for Justice if, in order to allay fears for the future of the Garda Síochána expressed by the Representative Body arising from the lack of staff participation in the steering committee appointed to conduct the examination recommended in the Conroy Report of the role, organisation and personnel policy of the force, he will now broaden the composition of the steering committee, at present exclusively managerial, to include delegates from the Garda representative bodies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Force Future.
50.
I assume that the question arises from an article in the June issue of the Garda Review attributed to the Representative Body for Guards. I want to say right away that there are no grounds for the fears and anxieties expressed in that article about lack of consultation with the Representative Bodies. It has always been the intention to have the fullest possible consultation with the various Representative Bodies about the management consultancy project, and indeed the Representative Body for Guards was given an assurance to that effect some time ago at a meeting of the Garda Conciliation Council.
The views expressed by the Representative Body, as reflected in the question, are based on a misconception as to the nature and purpose of a steering committee in this type of assignment. This committee is an instrument designed to oversee the consultancy project on behalf of the Garda authorities. The establishment of such a Committee is standard procedure in such cases and it would be contrary to the practice that obtains throughout the public service—and, I may add, contrary to general business practice according to my information—to provide for participation on it by staff representatives. That does not mean, however, that full consultation with staff representatives is precluded or hindered in any way. On the contrary, such consultation is regarded as essential for the success of the project.
For the record I must point out that the Representative Bodies for the various ranks were given ample opportunity to express their views about the draft term of reference. Moreover, as they are aware, the consultants intend to keep in close touch with them throughout the assignment. Indeed, as the article in the Garda Review acknowledges, for the first of the meetings for this purpose with the Representative Body for Guards has already taken place. In addition, the steering committee intends to initiate meetings with the Representative Bodies to consider the survey in its general aspects and to discuss particular aspects on which the bodies may have views to express.
I consider it only right to add that the editorial comments made on the matter in the same issue of the Garda Review are misinformed. It would be regrettable if a project with such potential for good, both for the Garda Síochána as a force and for its individual members were put at risk by hasty judgments which are not warranted by the facts.