Alan Farrell
Ceist:55. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice to outline her engagement with the Policing Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55144/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 December 2023
Ceisteanna (55)
Freagraí scríofa
The Policing Authority is an independent statutory agency established under the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, which amends the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
The Authority's remit is to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services in Ireland. The 2005 Act was amended so that some functions which were previously the responsibility of the Government or the Minister were transferred to the Authority.
One of the functions of the Authority is to provide me, as Minister, with information and advice on a range of issues, including:
• matters relating to policing services, in particular matters relevant to the accountability of Government to the Oireachtas,
• the resources that are likely to be required by An Garda Síochána to perform its functions in each forthcoming financial year,
• measures taken by An Garda Síochána in relation to recommendations made in reports of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate,
• developments in respect of matters relating to policing services,
• recommendations to me to assist in co-ordinating and developing policy in that regard and,
• best policing practice.
I can assure the Deputy that there is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Authority on these matters and I have met with the Chair of the Authority on a number of occasions.
Most recently, on 29 November, I wrote to the Chair requesting that the Authority advise me as to what else might enhance policing performance and support the Gardaí in the exercise of their lawful powers in situations such as that which arose in Dublin on 23 November.