McDowell reveals plan for Garda inspectorate

Detailed plans for a small monitoring squad of inspectors to ensure the Garda force reaches international standards have been revealed today.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell today announced the decision to set up an inspectorate to ensure Garda stations follow best-practice guidelines at Templemore Garda College.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice said: “It is really going to be a small squad reporting directly to the minister. It will be looking at international police best practice to make sure we are up to standard.

“The inspectorate will be included in the Garda Bill. Provision for the inspectorate will be made in the legislation in the autumn.”

Labour’s justice spokesman Joe Costello has criticised the Government plans and accused them of compromising the role of the proposed Garda Ombudsman

Mr Costello said plans announced by the justice minister for teams to carry out so-called lightning raids on Garda stations must be clarified, as it was the very work an ombudsman’s office should be doing.

The new Bill provides for an independent complaints procedure and an Ombudsman Commission which will have full police powers to investigate alleged wrongdoing by members of the force.