Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2018
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recommended legislative changes in the Policing Authority's latest report in accordance with section 62O(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that section 62O(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 requires that the Policing Authority report to me, as Minister, on—
- the effectiveness of the Authority, and
- the adequacy of the functions assigned to it by the Act.
I have laid the report before each House of the Oireachtas as required by the statute.
The recommendations in the Report, including in relation to the statutory framework, are at present being considered by my officials and will, of course, feed into the wider consideration of these matters by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, the recommendations of which are expected to be delivered in September. In this context and at the request of the Authority, I have arranged for the Report to be forwarded to the Commission.
I welcome the Report which, in my opinion, demonstrates that the Authority has established itself as a very important and effective stakeholder in the oversight framework for An Garda Síochána.
I understand that, in addition to preparing this report, the Authority is making a separate submission to the Commission and will continue to interact with, and assist, the Commission over the course of 2018 as required.
