Plans for policing despite Shatter’s opposition

The Government’s plans for an independent Garda authority comes just two months after Justice Minister Alan Shatter spelled out his opposition to such a body.

Mr Shatter labelled police authorities as “undemocratic” and said the structure “would not be suitable” for Ireland.

He also said the Garda Síochána was not just a police agency but also the country’s intelligence and security service — and this necessitated direct accountability to the Government and the Oireachtas.