Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
263. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reform proposals that have been acted upon arising from a consultation seminar held on justice reform in Farmleigh House on 20 June 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44803/14]
View answerThe underlying focus of the Government’s comprehensive programme of justice reform is to put in place effective arrangements for the oversight, governance and accountability of the Garda Síochána. The Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform, which is chaired by the Taoiseach, is overseeing the implementation of the Government programme and it sought the views of the public by way of a public consultation process in May 2014. In addition I hosted the Farmleigh seminar in June 2014 to provide a platform for key stakeholders and persons with an interest in Garda reform to discuss elements of the programme.
Since the Farmleigh seminar significant progress has been achieved with regard to the Government reform programme and, in particular, I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the following items:
- The Independent Review Mechanism, consisting of a panel of counsel established to examine approximately 300 complaints alleging Garda misconduct or problems with investigating misconduct, is continuing its work and has made significant progress;
- The Public Appointments Service has managed the first open competition to appoint a new Garda Commissioner and the appointment of Commissioner O'Sullivan has been made today by the Government;
- Following a process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service seeking expressions of interest, the Government has recently nominated Ms Josephine Feehily as the Chairperson-designate for the forthcoming Independent Policing Authority. As Chairperson-designate Ms Feehily has assisted in the final round of the recruitment process for the appointment of the Garda Commissioner and she will be involved in the preparations for the establishment of the Authority;
- I have published the General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the establishment of the new Independent Policing Authority. The General Scheme has been referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for scrutiny in parallel with the priority drafting of the Bill which will be introduced in the Oireachtas as soon as practicable;
- I have also recently published the Garda Síochána Inspectorate’s crime investigation report. The report deals with crime recording and investigation, and also deals with some of the concerns raised by Mr. Seán Guerin SC in his report to the Government earlier this year in respect of certain Garda actions. The report contains more than 200 recommendations for implementation which are being actively pursued;
- Work is being finalised on the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into matters identified in the Guerin report;
- The Fennelly Commission of Investigation set up to examine the operation of telephone recording systems in certain Garda Stations over many years, as well as other matters, recently sought an extension to its end of 2014 deadline for the submission of its report. However, the Commission has indicated that it will submit an interim report in respect of specific issues;
- The report of Judge Cooke’s inquiry into reports of unlawful surveillance of GSOC has been published and GSOC has published a redacted version of the report it commissioned into the possible disclosure of confidential information;
- The Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014 has been introduced to expand the remit and powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). In addition the Bill contains measures to clarify certain matters raised in Judge Cooke’s report and amendments are also being made to legislation in respect of the exercise of certain police powers by GSOC;
- The review of the Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road Agreement is expected to be completed shortly and encompasses all aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána;
- I published the Report of the Independent Review Group on the Department of Justice and Equality in July and I am working closely with the Department’s senior management team to implement the report’s recommendations;
- The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 has amended Garda legislation to allow Garda members to make “protected disclosures” to GSOC in confidence in respect of alleged Garda misconduct. The relevant provisions of the Act have been brought into operation; and
- The recently enacted Freedom of Information Act 2014 extends to the Garda Síochána.
