Govt Agree 'Comprehensive Response' To Guerin Report

Minister for Justice and Equality France Fitzgerald has announced that the government has agreed to a "comprehensive response" to the recently published Guerin Report.

Following the publication the government has agreed a series of measures, including:

• Decision to establish Commission of Investigation as proposed in the Guerin Report

• Garda Inspectorate to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into serious crime investigation, management, operational and procedural issues

• Cabinet agree to urgently bring forward new legislation to strengthen the operation of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

• Independent expert review of performance, management and administration of Department of Justice

• Independent Garda Authority to be up and running by the end of the year;

• New Garda Commissioner to be recruited by open competition in parallel with establishment of authority.

"Today's decisions by Government represent a comprehensive response to the serious and varied spectrum of issues raised in the Guerin Report," said Minister Fitzgerald.

"This spectrum of issues is complex and deep-rooted ranging from high-level issues such as oversight, change management and the role of whistle-blowers; to local administration and internal communication; to matters of basic policing, performance and human resources. It requires comprehensive and sustained corrective action. And that’s what will happen."

(MH)