Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 3

Written Answers. - Report on Policing.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

82 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the examination, if any, his Department has undertaken of the Patten report on policing in Northern Ireland with a view to identifying reforms or improvements which might be implemented in the Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24308/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland was established pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement with a view to providing the opportunity for a new beginning to policing in Northern Ireland with a police service capable of attracting and sustaining support from the community as a whole. In its report the commission made 175 recommendations.

My Department has been looking closely at all these recommendations and there have been a number of high level discussions with senior members of the Garda Síochána. Obviously the main interest in the report is in the context of the peace process but my Department's examination covers a broad range of issues.

The recommendations of most immediate and direct interest for the Garda Síochána are set out in chapter 18 of the report entitled "Cooperation with other Police Services". A joint Department/Garda implementation strategy group was established last month and they are looking primarily at the question of further enhanced co-operation between the Garda Síoch ána and the police authorities in Northern Ireland and how it might be best pursued.