Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to address Justice Committee

This will be Commissioner Harris’ first Oireachtas appearance since his appointment last month following a 35-year career in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The meeting at 9 a.m. in Committee Room 2 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

“The appointment of Drew Harris as the first externally recruited candidate to lead An Garda Síochána came as a surprise to many. It does mark a break with past practice. Only time will tell if it represents a new direction for policing in this state and on this island,” said Committee Chairman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD.

“Members of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality are hopeful that this early engagement will encourage Commissioner Harris to introduce a new culture of more open discussion and fuller accountability at a time when An Garda Síochána faces many questions about its capacity, structures, priorities and strategic vision,” Deputy Ó Caoláin said.