Policing authority ‘not independent enough’

Opposition parties have strongly objected to “watered down” legislation creating the Policing Authority which they claim will keep the garda commissioner from being legally accountable to the Government.

Dáil deputies said the authority will not be sufficiently independent of the justice minister.

However, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald insisted the authority will be “independent” and will have “extensive functions” to oversee the governance, structures and performance of the Garda Síochána in policing.