Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2020
146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if a disaggregation of the use of each of the five new powers afforded to An Garda Síochána under section 31(A) of the Health Act, 1947 (as amended) to date will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37163/20]
View answer147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Policing Authority in each of its reports on policing performance by An Garda Síochána during Covid-19 to date has highlighted the failure by the force to provide a disaggregation of the use of each of the five new powers afforded to An Garda Síochána under section 31(A) of the Health Act, 1947 (as amended); the steps she is taking in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37164/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
As the Deputy will be aware my predecessor, Minister Flanagan, requested that the Policing Authority provide regular reports on the use of emergency legislation by An Garda Síochána during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. To date the Authority has provided nine such reports on a monthly basis.
The Authority have been very thorough in their interaction with Garda management and with outreach to communities and stakeholders throughout Ireland. Their overall findings across the reports are very welcome and show that the level of use of the temporary public health powers has been modest, given the extensive level of engagement between An Garda Síochána and the public.
The Authority has also noted the positive reaction at community level to the breadth and depth of engagement by Gardaí. Those who work with vulnerable people have reported very positive responses from Gardaí throughout the country. The Policing Authority have stressed the positive tone of policing and community engagement carried out by An Garda Síochána and reported to them by various community groups.
The Deputy may wish to note that the issue of the disaggregation of information was discussed at the most recent meeting held between the Garda Commissioner and the Policing Authority on 30th September. At that meeting, the Commissioner gave a commitment to examine the issue. I understand that the next public meeting is due to be held at the end of this month.
