Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
232. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to overhaul the system for issuing and processing fixed-charge notices by An Garda Síochána in view of the findings of a report (details supplied) to the Policing Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48242/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Crowe Horwath report to the Policing Authority on matters relating to Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and road traffic summonses issued by An Garda Síochána was presented to my Department on 31 October and the Authority published the report on 1 November 2017.
The overall theme of the report is that the solutions put in place to prevent recurrence of the Fixed Charge Processing System-related issues are effective but that there is a risk that the issues could reoccur in other areas. Crowe Horwath recommends that the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) requires “a complete overhaul, with a strategic approach to identify what should be delivered, and then building the systems and processes around this”.
The multi-agency Criminal Justice (FCPS) Working Group, which oversees the implementation of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate's FCPS report, 'The Fixed Charge Processing System – A 21st Century Strategy' (February 2014), and which is jointly chaired by my Department, has engaged directly with the Policing Authority following the publication of the Crowe Horwath report. The Working Group held a workshop to look at the 'Future Vision' for the FCPS on 2 November and invited representatives from the Policing Authority to participate in the workshop. The Working Group agreed to organise the workshop at its previous meeting in September, prior to the finalisation of the report commissioned by the Authority.
The Crowe Horwath report recommends that the Working Group should examine the recommendations relating to the FCPS made by Crowe Horwarth and the Working Group has agreed to do so in the context of its development of a future vision for the FCPS. The Working Group will consider the outcome of the FCPS Future Vision Workshop at its next meeting on 29 November, together with an assessment of how to implement the recommendations in the Crowe Horwath report relating to the FCPS.
By way of next steps, Crowe Horwath recommends that An Garda Síochána should establish Project Teams, led by Assistant Commissioner or equivalent senior level, to examine all of the issues contained in its report with a view to producing detailed implementation plans within 8 weeks.
I met with the Chair of the Policing Authority, Josephine Feehily, and Garda Commissioner Ó Cualáin on 1 November and asked that the Policing Authority work closely with An Garda Síochána to ensure the report's recommendations are implemented urgently. The Policing Authority will seek an initial response from the Garda Commissioner on the recommendations contained and their implementation at the Authority's next public meeting on 23 November.
