Justice Committee to formally launch report on Review of An Garda Siochána Act 2005

Event: Launch of Report on Review of An Garda Siochána Act 2005 by the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.
Location: A/V Room, Leinster House
Date: Thursday, 9 October 2014
Time: 10am

Committee Chairman David Stanton TD said: “Earlier this year, the Committee undertook a process to assess the suitability of the present oversight mechanisms, codified under An Garda Síochána Act 2005, and make recommendations for reform to compliment the proposed reforms from the Government.

The Committee invited written submissions from the public and various stakeholders and a number of these were invited to hearings held on this subject. The evidence provided over the course of this process serves as the foundation for the recommendations outlined in this
report. Also, the Committee reviewed processes currently in use in both Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The overall aim is to ensure a Police Service, as opposed to a Police Force, that is fully adapted to the demands of the 21st century. The Committee acknowledges the publication of a number of Heads of Bills for the upcoming reform legislation in July 2014. At this time, the Committee prepared an interim report for the Minister, outlining what it viewed as the most important recommendations at that stage of the process. These recommendations are further included in this report, along with other issues identified over the course of the review.

The Committee agrees that reform of An Garda Síochána oversight mechanisms is a matter of  the highest importance, and should be addressed carefully. The Committee recommends that the Minister considers the suggested solutions detailed in this report.”

Copies of the reports will be available at the launch and the report will be available online.

To attend this event you must be accredited to attend briefings in Leinster House. To arrange for accreditation for the event or for further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Email: Ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie

Committee Membership

Deputies: Niall Collins (FF); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (FG); Alan Farrell (FG); Anne Ferris (LAB) [Vice-Chairman]; Seán Kenny (LAB); Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF); Finian McGrath (IND); John Paul Phelan (FG); David Stanton (FG) [Chairman]

Senators: Ivana Bacik (LAB); Martin Conway (FG); Rónán Mullen (IND); Denis O’Donovan (FF); Katherine Zappone (IND); Tony Mulcahy (FG)