Garda reforms - Inspectorate must be fully independent

Since its foundation over 80 years ago the Garda Síochána has enjoyed a very good reputation with the confidence of the overwhelming majority of citizens.

But this confidence has been damaged in recent years by scandals and controversies, ranging from individual garda involvement in criminal activity, to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Abbeylara killing, and to those allegations of gross misconduct by gardaí in Donegal being investigated by the Morris Tribunal.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell yesterday published far-reaching reform proposals for An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner will be made answerable to the Oireachtas.

A civilian financial director has already been appointed, and he will be backed up by outside accountants to direct and tighten control of garda finances. The commissioner will be the accounting officer, answerable to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee.

The Garda Síochána will have to draw up a three-year corporate strategy to be approved by the minister, who will compile annual performance targets for the commissioner.

An independent inspectorate will replace the Garda Complaints Body to investigate complaints made against members of the force. The inspectorate will be empowered to inquire into garda conduct even in instances where no formal complaint has been made.

It is important that this inspectorate should be fully independent of the force in order to restore that high level of public confidence that the force enjoyed for so long.