Press release
Minister McEntee welcomes publication of Policing Authority report, “Independent Oversight of Policing in Ireland – the first five years”
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed today’s publication of the Policing Authority report, “Independent Oversight of Policing in Ireland – the first five years”. The Policing Authority was established on 1 January 2016 by the enactment of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, amending the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In line with section 62 O (4) of the Act, the Authority is mandated to report to the Minister for Justice reviewing the general performance of its functions in its first five years of operation.
Minister McEntee said:
"This report is a welcome and timely perspective on the contribution of the Policing Authority since its inception five years ago. I would highlight in particular the growing impact of the Authority’s engagement with An Garda Síochána through its regular public meetings with the Garda Commissioner and his senior management team in bringing greater transparency to policing, increased public understanding of the performance of, and challenges faced by, An Garda Síochána, and promoting a focus on continuous improvement.
"I would like to thank the Authority’s Chair Bob Collins, his predecessor Josephine Feehily, and all the members and staff of the Authority for their contribution to establishing and developing the Authority, supporting it in the effective performance of its statutory remit and illustrating the value that independent public scrutiny can add to policing."
The Policing Authority was an important addition to the policing oversight architecture in Ireland following a period of challenge. Since its establishment it has provided effective independent external oversight of policing within what is a complex statutory framework. The infrastructure of policing in Ireland and its oversight are now further evolving in light of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Looking ahead, the Minister added:
"The review recognises that the Authority’s successes are to a very large extent also successes of An Garda Síochána, and I look forward to this process of engagement and improvement continuing to build a policing service which will keep this country’s citizens safe under the new legislation."
The Policing Authority is statutorily required to publish a review of its performance five years after its establishment. The Act requires the Minister to lay the review before the Houses of the Oireachtas, following submission to Cabinet for information.
[external-link https://www.policingauthority.ie/assets/uploads/documents/Review_of_PerformanceFunctions -_Final_for_Publication.pdf | Read the report. ]