Plan for Garda Board queried

The Policing Authority has questioned how a proposed internal Garda Board will protect the interests of the public when its duty will be to “put the interests of the organisation first”.

The authority is to make a formal submission to the Justice Minister in relation to the controversial proposal, contained in the report of the Policing Commission, published last week.

The commission’s report recommended the abolition of the authority as it currently stands (and creating a new oversight body merged with the Garda Inspectorate) and the removal of many of the functions of the new body in relation to oversight of the commissioner.

The commission recommended a new Garda Síochána Board, which would provide internal governance over the commissioner, and in turn be “accountable” to the Government.

The responsibility for promotions of senior officers would be taken from the Policing Authority and given back to the commissioner, under the board’s oversight.

The board, no longer the authority, would nominate people for Garda commissioner and deputy commissioner to the Government.

Following opening statements, the Commissioner is now discussing Garda resources with the members of the Authority. The meeting can be followed live here: https://t.co/cCFzJtEMdP pic.twitter.com/OUscnPG1hK

— Policing Authority (@PolicingAuthIRL) September 27, 2018

Speaking after its first public meeting with the new Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, authority chair Josephine Feehily said the body questioned how the new structure would “enhance transparency”.

She said the fiduciary responsibility of a board is to “put the interests of the organisation first” and questioned how that sat with the “public interest and accountability”.

The chair questioned how the commission’s proposals could be implemented “without diminishing the quality of transparency”.

She said the authority was set up against the background of “public confidence being dented in An Garda Síochána”.

Mr Harris said that, as it stood, he was “legislatively, morally, and ethically” accountable to the authority.