Written Answers. - Garda Training.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
63
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the training available to members of An Garda Síochána to assist them in dealing with members of minority communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[19729/99]
Brendan Howlin
Question:
295
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the measures, if any, he has put in place to prepare members of An Garda Síochána for a more multicultural society; his views on the establishment of a multicultural training programme for all members of the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18694/99]
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 295 together.
As Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I am determined to ensure that every individual in this country is treated equally before the law regardless of his or her ethnic origin.
The Garda authorities are committed to ensuring that members of the Garda Síochána receive training in race relations in view of the changing nature of Irish society and that the content of this training – for recruits and serving members – is kept under ongoing review.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all student and probationer gardaí receive instruction in the area of race relations as part of their two year education and training programme.
Specifically, the social studies element of the programme deals with discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping and best practice for policing interaction with ethnic minority groups. It includes a seminar on ethnicity, traveller culture and discrimination against the traveller community. Pavee Point makes a presentation at this seminar. The social studies course also covers instruction in human rights conferred by the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights and deals with policing and human rights.
The legal studies element of the training and education programme provides instruction in the relevant provisions of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989.
Appropriate training is also provided for Garda supervisors and managers.
In April of this year, the Garda authorities hosted an international conference, co-funded by the EU Commission and the Government, entitled "providing a police service in a developing multi-ethnic and multicultural Ireland". They are to be congratulated on this early initiative and their foresight and openness in addressing this question. The Garda authorities are determined to learn from the experience of other countries in policing a multi-ethnic, multicultural society. In particular, the training currently provided for student and probationer gardaí is to be reviewed and enhanced in the light of the outcome of this conference.
In fact, I am informed by the Garda authorities that a working group has been established to review all aspects of Garda training in this area and to develop best practices in the light of ongoing changes in the policing environment. The group has an ambitious work programme and its activities are ongoing.
