18/05/2015

Bill Published To Establish New Policing Authority

A Bill has been published to establish the new independent Policing Authority in Ireland.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice and Equality, has published the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015.

The new Policing Authority will oversee the performance of the policing functions of the Garda Síochána. The Bill has been approved by Government.

Minister Fitzgerald said: "The new Policing Authority is at the core of the Government's justice reform programme. The establishment of an Independent Authority represents fundamental reform of policing oversight in Ireland. This is the most far reaching reform of An Garda Síochána since the foundation of the State.

"The new Policing Authority will provide a new independent forum for the public oversight of policing services in Ireland. Senior Garda management will report to the Authority on the performance of policing services, including by way of quarterly public meetings.

"The new Authority will also provide a new engine to drive reforms of the policing system and practices to ensure that An Garda Síochána is fit to meet the ongoing and emerging challenges of 21st century policing."

(CD/JP)

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