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JUSTICE MINISTER FRANCES Fitzgerald has said it is “regrettable” that no TD other than herself attended the public consultation process held ahead of the drafting of the Garda reform Bill.
Fitzgerald presented the much-anticipated Garda Síochána Bill 2014 to the Dáil today.
She said that the “primary objective” of the new legislation is to strengthen the role and remit of the Garda Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
The consultation forum was held in Farmleigh earlier this year and was attended by some 100 participants, representing key stakeholders and direct contacts with GSOC.
Fitzgerald said it was “regrettable that no member of the house, other than myself, attended the event in Farmleigh”.
However, she thanked the Opposition for sending staff members to act as their representatives. Members of the Oireachtas Justice Committee also visited jurisdictions abroad for research purposes.
The Bill will amend and update An Garda Síochána Act 2005 and other relevant legislation by:
On the subject of whistleblowers, Fitzgerald said there had been “serious failures on penalty points” within the force, however she added that the vast majority of gardaí make “an ongoing and substantial contribution” to the safety of the general public.
In some cases, what we have learned about the behaviour of members of An Garda Síochána has struck at the heart of our shared understanding of what justice itself is. We live in a republic, a republic of laws, where there is not and never can be a situation of one law for some but not others.
Fitzgerald said that a “commonly-shared determination and desire” existed within An Garda Síochána and among communities right across this country “to see reform happen, to see a break from the past, to move on from these controversies to a new period of confidence.”
This will involve confronting deficiencies and failures, and it will involve examining openly and transparently and vigorously, where there are operational practices that are simply not up to standard. This will be done.
The minister said that further changes in relation to GSOC will be considered in relation to establishing a new Policing Authority “which I will introduce as quickly as possible”. It is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
Last month, Fitzgerald’s predecessor Alan Shatter called on GSOC Chairman Simon O’Brien and his fellow Commissioners to step down, insisting their positions were untenable in the wake of allegations their headquarters were bugged.
A report into how these claims were leaked to the Sunday Times proved inconclusive.
Futzgerald noted that last week’s Budget provided for 400 new vehicles, 300 gardaí entering Garda College in Templemore, and the civilianisation of immigration functions to free up 150 Gardaí to frontline policing.
It also included an increase of €1 million in the allocation to GSOC and an increase of €250,000 in the allocation to the Inspectorate.
Sinn Féin’s Justice Spokesperson Padraig Mac Lochlainn welcomed the measures included in the Bill, but said that more needs to be done to restore public confidence in the force after “a very disturbing period”.
“We will seek to amend the Bill to ensure that GSOC will have access, on a statutory basis, to the PULSE system to assist in their investigations.
“Our amendment will also include the recommendation of a single Ombudsman as opposed to the three commissioners as laid out in the Bill. This would ensure a greater degree of accountability and that there is no possibility of dissenting opinions or divergence in the Ombudsman’s findings,” Mac Lochlainn said.
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Seriously lads who edits these articles. There’s literally a typo in the first sentence. “One her case”
@gordon o loughlin: that’s the best won I’ve seen for a while.
@gordon o loughlin: They just fixed it. I wonder will they thank you for your help.
@gordon o loughlin: primary school students. Fifth class, I think
@Joe Phillips: The headline is fixed but the first line of the article still has “one”
@gordon o loughlin: my very 1st thoughts…disgraceful ” Journal- ism” …Again.
@Brian Cunningham: and still not a word of thanks or even acknowledgment from the author. Some man, Cianan
Well done Rebecca. Now go fulfill your dreams.
@Liam Byrne: There’s a high likelihood that this girl will quit veterinary after working for a few years. The dropout rate for females vets, especially in large animal medicine, is exceptionally high.
@Andy Dwyer: You’d be a crap cheerleader.
@Andy Dwyer: naysayer
@Slim Shady: best one liner on the journal in a long time!
@Andy Dwyer: so true. The drop out rates need to be published for every course. Give a true picture of what you are in for.
@Andy Dwyer: ah god negative already u would be a great expert in the job of being an idiot
Fair play, have huge admiration for this kid!
@The Risen: yes and another fellow who won over a mask, petty officials wasting our hard earned cash..what minister allows all this to happen
She’s a champion! Good on her and her family for driving this through. Best of luck with your studies!
Great stuff! Best news this week. I hope it inspires the whole country to start taking on what is unacceptable from service providers.
@Pat Kelly: I’m going to sound really bitter and horrible but the sad reality is, if this happened to someone from a poor economic background they would not have the money to take it to the high court. Sorry but it is true.
@Lisa Byrne: Tis a sad fact though, Lisa. Most would have to stop short of takin’ it that far
@Lisa Byrne: they could apply for legal aid in that event
@Karen Ni Riada: No,sorry the legal advice board has limited to scope in which cases it can provide assistance. As from what I can see it doesn’t cover this type of case. I could be wrong. But I looked on the legal advice board.
@Lisa Byrne: The truth usually hurts
@Lisa Byrne: yes but she took on an unfair system and won which is to the benefit of every student in the future no matter what their economic position is
@Lisa Byrne: that is probably true but the good thing is that now there is a precedent and you can bet appeals will be more accessible in the future.
So rather than blaming this family for doing right by their daughter maybe we should thank them for taking the case and potentially helping others in the future.
People shouldn’t judge each other so much Some people raised “rich” get nothing and are abused. Some people raised “poor” get amazing opportunities and are surrounded by love.
The mere fact you judge these guys based on their socio economic background says more about you than them.
@hyippy: did I blame her for being rich, I didn’t judge her, made no personal attack on her. Merely stated the truth those from poor socio economic backgrounds would not have been able to afford a high court action. Future student could appeal sure, but how many years will it take to change the system?
@Pat Kelly: yes and the other fellow who went to work wearing an anti flu mask with someone’s brazen puss on it..
@Lisa Byrne: She’s 18, she was legally aided.
Ever heard of the Legal Aid Board.
@Teresa Ryan: Yes and as I said they don’t provide assistance for this type of case.
She will be on the Late Late show soon.
Doubt if a young girl from finglas would have the means to fight a similar case.
@Mick Slator: give it a rest. OH but poor oh but the homeless oh but less fortunate. Change the tune brother.
@Mick Slator: I think the means are a small part of it, it’s her confidence and focused determination that pushed it forward. Truly impressive and the kind of quality you cannot buy or teach.
That’s what we all need more of.
@David McShite: You can have all the determination in the world but without the means you wont get this into a high court.
@David McShite: they don’t have that in Finglas either ;-)
Delighted for her, she will make a wonderful vet!
@Colette Kearns: How do you know that? Maybe she’ll have a fear of shoving her arm up a cow’s uterus?
@TheHeathen: nobody is afraid of that
@Colette Kearns: will she wear a mask do you think
@TheHeathen: No vet shoves any part of their anatomy up a cow’s “uterus”. The examination is done via the rectum.
Seriously lads who edits these articles. There’s literally a typo in the first sentence. “One her case”
Bravo Rebecca.
@Lisa Byrne – you are really horrible,sad,bitter etc because if you study the case you will see that the precedent has now been established and will apply to future students in similar circumstances.
In future no student, whether rich or poor, need worry about being treated in this appalling manner & will thank Rebecca for her determination and courage.
Delighted for this young lady and for her family who had the tenacity and determination to take on two backward and unjust institutions.
This is such great news and a very happy ending just as it should be. Forget the red tape and bureaucracy…a mistake was made, she found it and fought for her place, and now is going to college this year rather than a deferred year. All’s well that ends well!
Good for her. Delighted that she didn’t settle for ridiculous excuses why anyone should miss their chance at an education.
She should run for president at this stage with the amount of press she has got !!
@Drive for show & putt for dough: She’d make a more interesting candidate than most of the current crop….
A hero. It takes guts to go to court.
Ok it’s gone on long enough now , just get on with it instead of 15 mins of fame
Now sue the SEC and the Minister for damages…..
Yes there has been additions errors in exams my daughter was one point away fro what she wanted to study but we did not have the money to pursue a check
@Anastasia: it’s €40
A lesson in fight for what you believe is right!!! Good on you Rebecca …. paving the way for others!! Old systems which are now not fit for purpose ….. 2 months taken to correct results for students …. only in the public system! The very best of luck to you ….. be proud of yourself Rebecca … cos you should be !!! X
What about all the other kids who are having a recheck because they consider their scripts have been marked incorrectly, they have to wait til the end of October and if an error is discovered they have to wait a year to start their course. Unfair. Does each student have to go to court for fairness?
A lesson in fight for what you believe is right!!! Good on you Rebecca …. paving the way for others!! Old systems which are now not fit for purpose ….. 2 months taken to correct results for students …. only in the public system !!!!!!! The very best of luck to you ….. be proud of yourself Rebecca … as you should be !!! X
“Sped” up?????
You have done the state some service!
Now don’t let it get to your head, stop reading the journal and get stuck in to veterinary science!
A lesson in fight for what you believe is right!!! Good on you Rebecca …. paving the way for others!! Old systems which are now not fit for purpose ….. 2 months taken to correct results for students …. only in the public system! The very best of luck to you ….. be proud of yourself Rebecca … as you should be !!! X
It shouldn’t happen in the first place…and how come that you actually have to go to the high court to getting incorrectly counted points corrected….somehow wrong!
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