Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2015
15. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recommendation from the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for the establishment of a criminal justice inspectorate similar to that in place in Northern Ireland. [1328/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am of course familiar with the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality concerning the establishment of a Criminal Justice Inspectorate similar to the Criminal Justice Inspection in Northern Ireland. The Committee's recommendation was made in the context of its review of the operation of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Deputy will be aware of the comprehensive programme of Justice reform which is underway and the Government is grateful that it has had the benefit of the Committee's consideration of a wide range of matters relevant to the reform programme.
The Deputy will also be aware of the progress already made under the reform programme including the appointment of the new Garda Commissioner following the first ever open competition for the post, as well as the publication of proposals for important new legislation relating to the establishment of an independent Police Authority and also to strengthen of the powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
Independent inspection is a valuable component in a properly functioning criminal justice system and it is for this reason that we already have well established inspection bodies in place in the form of the Garda Inspectorate and the Inspector of Prisons. A proposal to establish an overarching inspection body is certainly worthy of further consideration but clearly it would need to take account of a wide range of factors, not the least of which would be the impact and interaction with these existing inspection models. It would also be useful to study the experience derived from the operation of the Criminal Justice Inspection body in Northern Ireland, and to take into account of course its origin in the review of criminal justice arrangements which followed the Good Friday Agreement.
Such an examination would be a substantial exercise requiring extensive consultation and analysis and as such I would not be in a position to commit to any particular process in advance of making further progress on the immediate issues which have been identified as part of the justice sector reform programme. Nevertheless I regard it as a helpful proposal which clearly deserves detailed consideration and I would be happy to discuss it further with the Committee at a suitable opportunity.
