Vol. 554 No. 5
1420 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a Garda Commissioner will be appointed as Accounting Officer; when it is planned to extend the force by 2000 as proposed; and if he will make a statement on the Garda Review editorial of September 2002 (details supplied). [17235/02]
The Government has previously indicated that the transfer of the role of Account ing Officer to the Garda Commissioner will take place only when it is satisfied that a proper framework of accountability, including performance indicators, are in place. The Government recently approved a review from the Garda SMI Steering Group on Performance and Accountability and decided that legislation should be introduced to give effect to the proposals in that report. That legislation will enable a transfer to the Garda Commissioner of the role of Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote. However, this transfer will take effect only when the Government is satisfied that the performance and accountability framework and the necessary supporting financial framework is in place.
As regards plans to increase the strength of the force, An Agreed Programme for Government provides for an increase of 2,000 members over the lifetime of that programme.
