Justice & Equality Committee to meet Acting Garda Commissioner on Garda issues

he agenda for the meeting is:

(i) Crowe Horwath report to Policing Authority on Garda breath testing and issuing of summonses.
(ii) Garda overtime.
(iii) Opening and closure of Garda Stations.
(iv) Relationship between the Office of the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
[Mr. John Twomey, Acting Commissioner, An Garda Síochána]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Chairman of the Committee, said: “Tomorrow, the Committee will meet with Acting Commissioner of An Garda Síochána John Twomey when we will discuss a number of recent issues in relation to An Garda Síochána, including the falsification of breath test numbers carried out by Gardaí, the operation of the fixed charge notice system, Garda overtime, the opening and closure of Garda stations and the relationship between the Office of the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality.

"The report by consultancy firm Crowe Horwath, which looked at the issue of false breath test figures and problems with the operation of the fixed charge notice processing system, found issues with governance and accountability within the Garda service. We will discuss the report’s findings and recommendations with the Deputy Commissioner. We will also consider the relationship between the office of the Garda Commissioner and the office of the Minister for Justice.

"Concerns were raised last week about funding for Garda overtime for the month of December and this is an issue which will be raised at our meeting. The Committee will also focus on the current situation in regard to the opening and closure of Garda stations when we will look for an update on the stations that are earmarked for reopening.”

This meeting will start in Committee Room 1 at 10.30am on Thursday, 7 December 2017.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

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