Garda numbers
Did it deliver? The short answer is No, but it should be reached next year.
The force stood at 11,895 in 2002. As of 14 March 2007, the strength stands at 13,178, an increase of 1,283. The Tánaiste says the combined strength (including student gardaí) stands at 14,258.
While garda associations have criticised the slow roll-out, they have welcomed the Tánaiste’s efforts.
However, when population growth is taken into account, the number of gardaí per person only improved marginally since 2002.
The Programme for Government committed to reforming the garda management structure and introducing a garda inspectorate.
The Tánaiste achieved this. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 made the Garda Commissioner answerable to the Oireachtas.
The law bestowed ground-breaking powers on the Minister for Justice in directing priorities for the force and enabling the department to get information from garda bosses. Some experts say this enables political interference in the force.
Mr McDowell set up both a Garda Ombudsman Commission and a Garda Inspectorate, which have so far made an impression.
Other reforms include new promotion, discipline and wistleblower regulations.
The Garda Reserve was another of the minister’s “babies”. He confronted a revolt in two main garda associations to pushed it through.
The number of recorded serious (or headline) crimes are slightly down on 2002. This could rightly be claimed a success by the minister, all the more so given that the population has risen.
But this overall success has been marred in key areas: murders, particularly gangland killings, are up (although they have fallen in 2007), as have drug dealing offences and shootings.
Garda detection rates have fallen since 2002. But the minister says the rate for 2006 is up.
A success for the Tánaiste has been Operation Anvil, which targets gun crime.
The garda budget jumped by over 50% since 2002, to €1.4bn.
The Tánaiste’s response to crime is characterised by legislation. The Criminal Justice Acts of 2006 and 2007 significantly increased garda detention powers, introduced more mandatory sentences for drugs and firearms offences and with less judicial discretion, tightened bail restrictions and the right to silence.
He brought in Asbos to combat anti-social behaviour. Legislation was also brought in to combat public drunkenness and disorder.
Much of his legislation has been strongly criticised by human rights and civil rights bodies.
It is perhaps on his style that the minister fairs worst. He has managed to annoy and put off many people: gardaí, prison officers, human rights and civil rights bodies, lawyers and opposition parties in the way he conducts business.
He often comes across as arrogant and intimidating, although many people are impressed by him. (Even strong critics often hold a grudging admiration.)
The Tánaiste claims he listens to other views and has a tough neck when it comes to criticism, but that doesn’t always seem true.
He won kudos for dealing with the prison overtime issue, but made needless enemies among gardaí in how he introduced and pushed through the Garda Reserve.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
