Police authority fast-tracked
Labour had pushed for its establishment in the wake of controversies that engulfed An Garda Síochána, including the penalty points scandal.
As part of its packed agenda in what may be the last Cabinet meeting before the general election, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald sought an “early signature” on the policing authority legislation.
Josephine Feeley, the former head of the Revenue Commissioners, has been appointed as chairwoman of the new authority.
But another eight people have yet to be appointed to the authority’s board. The appointments cannot be made until the legislation passes through all Houses of the Oireachtas and is signed by the President. Its start date is January 1. It is understood Ms Fitzgerald’s actions would result in the usual five-day period necessary for something to be passed into law to be by-passed so it could be enacted as soon as possible.
Debating the bill in the Dáil last night, Independent TD Mick Wallace said it took a lot longer to become a “hairdresser” than a garda. Mr Wallace has been to the forefront of raising allegations and concerns about gardaí and abuses by the force.
The Wexford TD said a “truly independent authority” would oversee changes without having to constantly refer to the minister. He said all the authorities or powers or functions in the new legislation were subject to government approval. The minister for justice would also retain a full veto over all its powers, he claimed, adding the authority’s functions were “not comparable” to the ombudsman or other independent agencies, who answered solely to the Oireachtas.
He said the authority’s legislation gave the minister the power to decide what was lawful or unlawful when it came to a protest and that this should in fact be decided by the courts. Overall, the legislation was “abysmal” and “disappointing”, argued Mr Wallace.
The new authority will have the power to scrutinise policing plans annually as well as look at how resources are spent.
But opposition parties have claimed that plans for the authority have been watered-down since its original inception.
Concerns have been raised that it will not be able to hold the Garda commissioner to account if the authority has to request permission from the Garda ombudsman to investigate the head of the force.
