Vol. 490 No. 5
279 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he proposes to make the Garda Commissioner the accounting officer for the Garda Síochána; and if there is legislation required to do this as indicated by him during 1997. [10784/98]
The report of the Steering Group on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Garda Síochána proposed the development of a new control and accountability framework which would see the devolution to the Garda Commissioner of the role of Accounting Officer allied to the introduction of specific performance measures. The Government has agreed in principle with the recommendations of the report and has established a new steering group, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Kevin Bonner, charged with overseeing the implementation of the report's recommendations. I expect the steering group to consider and make recommendations on any legislative requirements in due course.
