Seán Sherlock
Question:280. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the statutory powers of the Policing Authority. [52049/17]
View answerTuesday, 5 December 2017
Questions (280)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Policing Authority is an independent statutory body established on 1 January 2016 to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services, to promote public awareness of policing matters and to promote and support the continuous improvements in policing in Ireland.
The statutory basis for the Authority is the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, which amended the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The establishment of the Policing Authority represents one of the most significant developments in policing since the foundation of the State.
I want to make it clear that the Government is fully supportive of the Authority having appropriate powers so that it can carry out its oversight functions in an efficient and effective manner. I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the provisions of section 62O of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which requires the Authority to prepare a report on the effectiveness of the Authority and the adequacy of the functions assigned to it by the legislation. The report can contain recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the Authority and is required to be submitted to me, as Minister, before the end of this year.
Furthermore, the Deputy will be aware that the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is currently examining all aspects of policing, including the oversight arrangements. The Commission is due to report by September 2018.
It would premature to proceed to make changes to the Policing Authority's statutory powers in advance of receiving the advice of the two bodies.