Vol. 489 No. 5
133 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to establish a commission to investigate Garda pay and conditions; and the proposals, if any, he has to review Garda conditions to take account of the new demands of the job. [8414/98]
Following the publication of the report of the steering group on efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda Sìochàna, the Government appointed a steering group to develop and implement the overall programme for change recommended in the report. The chairman of the steering group is Mr. Kevin Bonnar former Secretary of the Department of Enterprise and Employment. Details of the other members of the steering group were given in the Government press release dated 22 December 1997.
One of the tasks of the steering group was to oversee the "bottom-up" review of the force. This involved the establishment of an in-depth examination to reach conclusions on the optimum number, structure and deployment of the Garda This involved the establishment of an in-depth examination to reach conclusions on the optimum number, structure and deployment of the Garda and the appropriate mix between gardaì and civilians. A "bottom-up" group was established to conduct this examination, the chairman of which is Mr. Declan Brennan, a former Secretary of the Department of Education, who is also a member of the steering group. The other members of the group are a management specialist and representatives of Garda management, the Department of Finance and my Department.
