Justice & Equality Committee to hear from Chairperson of Policing Authority

Committee Chairman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: “The Policing Authority was established with effect from January of this year. Its role is to enhance public confidence by independently overseeing the performance of the Garda Síochána in relation to policing. Tomorrow, we will have our first opportunity to meet with the Policing Authority Chairperson Josephine Feehily to discuss the immediate business priorities of the Authority and consider what arrangements have been put in place to deal with them. Committee Members will also have the chance to raise any issues they may have in relation to the Authority’s work. A review of the oversight and accountability of An Garda Síochána is a key priority for our Committee in our current work programme and this meeting with the Policing Authority will feed into our consideration of the issue.\"

Before the Committee meets with the Policing Authority, it will meet with John Bosco Conama and Wendy Murray, of the Irish Deaf Society on the issue of Irish Sign Language (ISL) recognition.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said: “The Irish Deaf Society is the largest deaf-led organisation in Ireland which seeks to achieve and promote the equality and rights of deaf people in Ireland. Tomorrow we will meet with John Bosco Conama and Wendy Murray from the Irish Deaf Society. Last week, the Irish Deaf Society hosted Irish Sign Language Awareness Week to promote awareness of ISL which is Ireland’s native sign language and is used by up to 40,000 people. Our meeting tomorrow will provide an opportunity for the Irish Deaf Society to update the Committee on its work and its efforts to promote the recognition of ISL.”
 
The agenda for tomorrow’s meeting is:

Session A: 9 a.m.
Irish Sign Language - John Bosco Conama and Wendy Murray, Irish Deaf Society

Session B: 10 a.m.
Priorities for the Policing Authority in the near future - Josephine Feehily, Chairperson of Policing Authority

The meetings will take place in Committee Room 2, Leinster House,  tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 September 2016.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

ENDS/