Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
942. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the existing reform projects taking place within An Garda Síochána which were decided to be inconsistent with the recommendations on the Future of Policing in Ireland report; if these projects have been halted as per page two of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21989/20]
View answer943. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the existing reform projects taking place within An Garda Síochána which were decided to be consistent with the recommendations on the Future of Policing in Ireland report; if these projects have been halted as per page two of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21990/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 942 and 943 together.
The Deputy will be aware that in September 2018, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland published its final report, outlining a clear vision and roadmap for strengthening An Garda Síochána and the broader national framework for policing, security and community safety. The Commission recommended that the Garda Commissioner evaluate the then existing reform programme - the Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) - through the lens of the Report and halt any initiatives that did not fit with its vision.
In December 2018, Government published A Policing Service for our Future (APSFF) – the 4-year Plan (2019-2022) to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). The Plan was developed in cooperation with stakeholders from across the public service, in particular, An Garda Síochána, informed by the Garda Commissioner’s evaluation.
While a number of significant recommendations contained in the MRP (the programme of reform developed to address recommendations arising from both internal and external reports, most notably the 2015 Garda Inspectorate report Changing Policing In Ireland ) had been implemented prior to the launch of APSFF, work has been undertaken to overlay any outstanding relevant recommendations with APSFF. These recommendations therefore continue to inform the ongoing process of reform within An Garda Síochána.
In this regard, a significant number of actions have been transposed into APSFF from previous reform programmes and recommendations (being recommendations also contained within the Commission’s report). The Garda Operating Model is one such action. Roll-out of the Operating Model will, by its nature, lead to the implementation of a number of other recommendations contained in previous reports or programmes of reform as well as in the Commission's report. Implementation of other outstanding recommendations are being considered and progressed through the lens, and in the spirit of, CoFPI and in order to ensure full implementation of the relevant CoFPI recommendation as APSFF progresses.
The Policing Reform Implementation Programme Office (PRIPO) – which is based in the Department of the Taoiseach – monitors progress on the actions contained in APSFF, supporting the work of the Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR), and keeping the High Level Steering Board on Policing Reform and Government apprised of the progress being made.
While progress in 2020 has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am encouraged to see the responsiveness and flexibility shown by An Garda Síochána in dealing with the demands of this unprecedented situation and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that much has already been achieved under APSFF .
For example:
- The roll-out of a new Operating Model for An Garda Síochána has commenced. This model is designed to streamline Garda administration and to provide a more visible, responsive and localised policing service to communities nationwide;
- An Garda Síochána has established and strengthened resourcing of a Human Rights Unit and re-established the Strategic Human Rights Advisory Committee;
- The National Security Analysis Centre (NSAC) has been established and the Director of NSAC appointed; and
- The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019 has been enacted which gives Gardaí access to the Workplace Relations Commission for the first time and provides for a modern industrial relations framework within An Garda Síochána.
- There is ongoing progress too on legislative reform, in particular:
- Government has given approval for legislation to be drafted to underpin the use of recording devices (including body worn cameras) and for the codification of legislation defining police powers of arrest, search and detention;
- Work is well advanced on the development of the General Scheme of the Policing and Community Safety Bill to provide a new coherent framework for the governance and oversight of An Garda Síochána. Following consultations with the Garda Commissioner and the oversight bodies which are underway at present on the detail of the proposals, I hope to bring the matter before Cabinet in the near future.
These measures and achievements represent only some of the wide range of actions being progressed under APSFF.
Further information on progress and updates on the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/065724-policing-reform/
