Paul Donnelly
Question:1010. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if she will approve for the post of police liaison support officer to be based at the Irish embassy in Canberra. [1418/25]
View answerWednesday, 22 January 2025
Questions (1010)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
The deployment of Garda Liaison Officers has proven to be an effective and practical form of interagency cooperation between police services. It has supported the exchange of information and the coordination of operations across borders.
I can inform the Deputy that the development and expansion of the Garda Liaison Officer Network, subject to approval of the Government, is determined in consultation with my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The development and expansion of the Garda Liaison Officer Network by An Garda Síochána aims to fulfil the strategic and operational objectives of all stakeholders.
In 2022, the Government approved the expansion of the Garda Liaison Officer Network, following a request from the Garda Commissioner. This expansion created two new posts for Garda Liaison Officers; the first in Abu Dhabi and the second in Bangkok. These posts are in addition to existing positions situated in Madrid, Paris, London, The Hague, Washington DC and Bogota.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the development and expansion of An Garda Síochána’s Garda Liaison Officer Network is under the direction of the Detective Chief Superintendent, Liaison & Protection Section, Garda HQ, and is driven by organisational and operational requirements from policing and security perspectives.
At present, there is a Garda Liaison Officer based in Bangkok accredited to the Irish Embassy. This officer provides Policing Liaison in the South East Asian / Australasian Region and is in a position to provide support where required.