Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
117. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the fact that she was not informed by the Garda Commissioner about financial irregularities in the Garda College, Templemore, in July 2015; if this is contrary to section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; when she was informed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22993/17]
View answerMy Department received a copy of the draft Interim Internal Audit Report regarding the finances at the Garda College at Templemore from An Garda Síochána's Head of the Internal Audit on 16 September 2016. I understand that the draft report was sent to all interested parties for their observations before being finalised. A copy of the final Report was received by my Department from the Garda Commissioner on 27 March 2017.
As you will be aware I have indicated publicly my concern at the findings of the Interim Internal Audit Report. As you will also be aware the Public Accounts Committee is examining the Commissioner in relation to the Interim Audit Report and intends to resume that examination in the coming weeks, and will report subsequently. Very particular responsibilities lie with Accounting Officers and you will appreciate that I must be careful not to interfere in any way with the work of that Committee. I can assure you that I will pay very careful attention to the proceedings at the Committee and, in particular, any report they may make. If action is required on my part as a result, I will not hesitate to take it.
While, of course, there has to be accountability in relation to what went on at the College, the immediate priority has to be ensuring the problems identified in the audit are resolved. I have been assured that the Garda Authorities recognise the gravity of the issues raised and that they are taking comprehensive steps to progress the recommendations in the Report. External governance expertise and auditors have been engaged. A Steering Committee, chaired by the Garda Síochána Chief Administrative Officer and including a representative from my Department, is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations. In addition, upon receipt of the report I referred it to the Policing Authority to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and to report back to me each quarter. I expect the Authority to submit its first report to me in July.
It is the case that section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act places a requirement on the Garda Commissioner to report certain matters to me. In practice it is a matter for the judgement of the Commissioner as to when to make reports specifically citing that section of the Act. It is not just a question of legal judgement - it is a question of determining whether a particular set of circumstances fall within the criteria set out in the Act. There are issues too about at what stage a Commissioner might consider it appropriate to make such a report. Most contacts between me, my Department and An Garda Síochána do not involve specifically citing that legal provision. So I would simply say that whether a report is made in relation to particular circumstances and when it might be made is clearly not a straightforward issue. It is worth making the point too that simply informing me of a particular matter does not, of itself, resolve any issue. Equally, the fact that I might not be informed of an issue under section 41 does not prevent the necessary action being taken to address the issue.
