Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017
76. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the levels of training provided to members of An Garda Síochána in upholding persons' right to protest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
An Garda Síochána is committed to providing a professional, well-led and well managed policing service which is grounded in human rights principles. The importance attached to human rights compliance in policing in Ireland is highlighted by section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This section sets out the functions of the Garda Síochána, which include providing policing and security services with the objective of protection of life and property and of vindicating the human rights of each individual.
I am informed by the Commissioner that all Gardaí recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014 undertake the new 2 year training programme which leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing and is accredited by the University of Limerick. The programme is the outcome of a comprehensive review of foundation training for entrants to An Garda Síochána and exemplifies best practice. The programme embeds human rights and ethical policing as a core programme outcome. It ensures that ethics, human rights, values and community are considered in the management of all policing situations, and it seeks to provide a continuity of learning around these issues from problem-based learning in the Garda College to work-based learning in the Garda divisions. New members of An Garda Síochána now make a declaration of the need to have regard for human rights in carrying out policing duties.
Human rights training also forms part of the training provided by the ‘Continuous Professional Development’ staff allocated to each of the Garda Divisions for serving members of An Garda Síochána.
A very significant recent development in this regard is the Code of Ethics for An Garda Síochána published by the Policing Authority last January. It defines in clear terms the principles to guide the decisions that those in policing make in everything they do. The Code has a statutory basis under the 2005 Act and was developed by the Authority and An Garda Síochána in conjunction with stakeholders. The emphasis of the Code is on what good policing looks like and how police officers and staff should behave.The Code sets out nine standards of conduct and practice for everyone in An Garda Síochána. These standards must be carried out in a manner that is independent and impartial, that respects human rights, and that supports the proper and effective administration of justice.
Of particular relevance is the standard in relation to police powers which commits all members of An Garda Síochána to respecting the human rights of all people, including the right to freedom of expression; to freedom of assembly and association; and to be free from arbitrary arrest or detention.
The Policing Plan 2017 contains a commitment by An Garda Síochána to embed this Code into the day to day thinking and actions of the organisation, through the development of a communications plan to inform and educate all Garda personnel including reserves and civilians in relation to ethical matters and to embed the Code into all training programmes. Work in this regard is currently progressing with options for the delivery of the communications plan and training programme being examined.
