Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1217. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the engagement she has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the continuing issue of the cancellation of 999 calls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63331/21]
View answerAs I have stated previously, any inappropriate cancellation of 999 incidents is a very serious issue. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from the Gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána set for themselves. I welcome the apology that has been made by the Garda Commissioner in this regard.
As the Deputy will appreciate, It is vital that the best interests of victims and anyone whose calls were cancelled inappropriately are the priority and focus throughout this process. It is concerning that anyone who summoned the courage to seek assistance may not have received it, so I welcome the fact that the Gardaí have contacted those affected to apologise and ask if they require help from An Garda Síochána. Furthermore, the Commissioner has assured me that when someone calls 999 now, they can expect and trust that An Garda Síochána will help. That should always be the case.
In February 2020, I requested that the Policing Authority oversee the ongoing work by An Garda Síochána to review how 999 calls are handled, and the Authority has had extensive engagement with the Commissioner in this regard. In addition, the Authority appointed an independent expert, Mr Derek Penman, to conduct a preliminary examination of the adequacy of the review being undertaken by An Garda Síochána. Mr Penman has submitted an interim report with recommendations that the Garda Commissioner has accepted.
I have regular discussions with the Commissioner on a range of issues which have included this review process, and officials in my Department remain in continuing contact with the Policing Authority and An Garda Síochána in relation to this, and a wide range of issues, that fall under my Ministerial remit.
The Garda review, overseen by the Policing Authority, is ongoing. I welcome the Commissioner’s engagement with the Policing Authority on this at both their public and private meetings, and will of course carefully consider any recommendations which emerge from this process.
