We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Updated at 10.50pm
NEW GARDA COMMISSIONER Noirín O’Sullivan says the fact that she is an ‘insider’ in the force will give her an advantage as she begins her tenure in Irish policing’s top job
Speaking to the media at Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park this evening, she said her experience in the force “gives me a distinct advantage because I know the organisation”.
I know the people in the organisation — but also I understand and I know the communities, and I certainly know the things that need to be done to improve the service that we provide.
O’Sullivan’s promotion from her ‘acting’ role to full commissioner has been criticised by some — including Independent TD Mick Wallace, who said it showed there was no commitment to reform within the force or the Government.
Mick Wallace / Twitter“@rtenews: Nóirín O'Sullivan appointed Garda Commissioner http://t.co/R9EQmrrqvu” Gov has zero interest in Reform. Zero...
— Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) November 25, 2014
A number of high-profile candidates from overseas applied for the job, which was filled after what the Government described as a “global search” followed by two rounds of interviews.
Speaking tonight, O’Sullivan said:
I’m very happy that actually I’ve gone through a process in an open competition, because I understand that a number of people had put themselves forward.
Asked whether the fact that she’s a woman would have any bearing on how she does her job, she replied:
“Absolutely not.
“I think its really important for me to say that.
It’s very important that we don’t stereotype each other by gender or anything else. It’s down to human interaction and human beings dealing with each other.
And regarding Wallace’s complaints that she was in a key position in the force throughout the recent run of penalty points and other controversies, collectively known as ‘Gardagate’, she said:
I think everyone is entitled to their opinion.
“I think where we have to focus is on the work that we need to do and on listening to people. Certainly if people have ideas we want to hear their ideas.”
O’Sullivan said she was willing to listen to “everybody” as she commenced her role, and talked up the recently-launched Garda ‘Public Attitudes Survey’ — the first of its kind since 2008.
The Commissioner said she was “very attuned to all of the controversies and all of the crises we’ve been through”.
“But I think those type of things make you much stronger and much more prepared
There were lessons to be learnt. We’ve learnt them and we’re ready to apply those lessons.
Priorities
“Making sure that, in the first instance, we work to prevent people becoming victims of crime,” will be a key priority, O’Sullivan stressed. Part of that will mean addressing the concerns raised in the Garda Inspectorate Report.
The wide-ranging report, published last week, uncovered a litany of shortfalls in how victims are dealt with by local officers — particularly victims of domestic violence. It also recommended an upgrade in technology, effective systems and changes to management practice.
The Inspectorate Report points out that there are pockets of really good practice and indeed they do say that there are instances of domestic violence where victims have been dealt with with great understanding and empathy by members of An Garda Síochána,” O’Sullivan said.
“Our focus is to make sure that that consistent and standardised service is provided right throughout the organisation.
“Standardisation and consistency,” for all victims of crime will be of the highest importance, the Commissioner said.
Our members are working with the NGOs and the other groups that are there — we will work together with those groups to make sure people get appropriate referrals and appropriate support right through the system.
The force’s ‘Professional Standards Unit’ will monitor compliance with policy set by headquarters and address any problems that arise, she added.
Regarding morale within the 13,000-or-so strong force, she said members had been through a “rollercoaster of uncertainty” in recent years.
She had already begun to address the issue of morale, she said, before going on to pay tribute to the men and women of An Garda Síochána “out there morning, noon and night, 365 days of the year” protecting communities.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Kathleen, you’ll be lucky if your family vote for you in the next election although you’ll probably run to the hills with your big fat pension.
I was talking to an uncle of a current Government T.D. and he said he wouldn’t make the mistake of voting for him again! ……… Makes you wonder about the accuracy of polls!
Is there any group in society apart from themselves they haven’t attacked?
No.
Bankers. They’ve been very kind to them so far.
Kathleen, I doubt you even believe it yourself. Nothing is ringfenced. There is no money there to ring fence. It’s been spent, its gone. We gave it to Sean Fitzpatrick to buy magic beans.
70 million to host the Presidency of Europe, It was 35 in Denmark!
More cuts from the party that brought you the property tax
The politics and those practicing it in this country ‘strikes fear into me’
It’s a deplorable act – one of the many, many, many of the like carried out on societies most vulnerable by successive governments. Shame is obviously a bi-word these days.
Another nail in the coffin for this government it will be very interesting to see how many will take their big fat pensions and retire and end up in the same boat as Bertie Aherne and the rest of his friends from the pervious government
@Kenneth, bertie and his gang of con artist did really well for themselves, they retired on huge made-for-life pensions and landed on there feet with careers. They never even answered or paid for destroying this country and its people, and don’t forget… look what party is leading in the polls for the next election!
Maybe now the apparently gormless general population of Ireland, gormless because they appear reluctant to stand up for themselves, will stand up for THE most vulnerable section of Irish society and in the process restore some credibility to themselves. And about frugging time……. Deep within the Irish psyche we are a stoic and compassionate people……… Time now folks for the compassion to find voice. Besides, the stoicism exhibited in recent years has taken a greater toll than the U-know whoze could dare believe. If this is not the time to say stop then give it up……. you have new masters.
An interesting example of the law of unintended consequences – a complaint is made to the Ombudsman that the Mobility Allowance Scheme is illegal because it excludes people over 66 years of age.
Rather than extend the scheme to everyone which the government can not afford, it is forced to completely abolish the scheme so it is no longer in breach of the Equal Status Act.
thats because you Joe are most likely dipping into the same pot as your buddys no wonder they have no money.
Utterly sickens me to hear FF to speak like they are the defenders of the down trodden when any simpleton can see they’d do the exactly same thing if, God forbid, they ever get back into power. You got us into this s*it pit FF…you have demnstrated you are utterly incapable of getting us out of it. Just like the current crop…
Think you will find that like every other grant in this country… a huge cohort of those getting it should not be… same goes for carers etc… I commend the HSE for reviewing every case and giving the money to those that deserve it. I wish people were half as critical of the huge volume of people out there playing the system…
Don’t feed the troll….people
DO NOT FEED THE TROLL!
:D
Of course Declan you have proof and only to happy to provide links to same?Yes?
Well Declan any links or are you just spinning the party line?
You’re a pr*ck …
Thats at Declan Cotter by the way…
You feeding out of the same pot as yourb buddy Joe greedy fickers.
Nice Tony… big man behind a screen… moron…!!!
And I am no troll… just dont beat the usual populist drum that is played on here…
No party line… I commend the Goverment for trying to undo the mess we find ourselves in… and yes it is of our own doing… I saw no protests on the street when social welfare was increased year after year… i saw no protests when income tax was reduced, college fee’s removed etc. etc etc… I could go on and on…
BTW Jenny… There is a world outside of links!!!! You need to get out more
If your gonna make a comment like you did it would be nice if you backed it up,did FG HQ not provide you with the info?
Call it real life Jenny… I see it day in, day out… Saw a couple on SF take a trip to Disney Land last year… Right through college i saw people getting grants having there own cars!!! This couple has a brutal record of holding individuals accountable.. If you deserve the benefits then the state should provide…but the state has an obligation to verify..
So they can’t afford 10.1 Million for the disabled of the country for mobility allowance, but yet for 266 people they can manage to have travel expenses of 7.2 Million…when are people gonna fight back!
Could we not just take it out of the foreign aid budget?
You are inviting more taxation Kelleher. Is that your policy? If the money is not there it is not there. Are you seriously saying we need more taxation? If we cannot afford these allowances how are you proposi mg the money be made available. Tell the nation you want more taxation and stop playing party politics with an important issue.
ANGLO IRISH BANK HAD PRIVATE CONTRACTS WITH GERMAN AND FRENCH BANKS…..not a word was mentioned in those contracts about the Irish citizen being responsible for any liability for those loans in anyway shape or form….60 BILLION has been pushed on us illegally through agents in our government working for the Troika and the ECB , so are we going to take this bull** or are we going to say NO ?
there was a very nicely cut coat and red shoes walking into the dail today, whilst i sat outside in my wheelchair protesting, yep.
i didnt feel nice in my scruff nor the bucket the hse gave me for a wheelchair, a reconstituted sick clapped out museum piece it is. i think revolt is the only way. surely there was more than twin and myself who heard this news last night? where were you today then? all working? too sick? we need far more people out there being expressive not sitting at a laptop being passively aggressive, this way is the easy way. i am in utter fear of what will happen next and when kathleen expresses herself as ‘agonizing’ over this….no Kathleen Lynch, you dont agonize over disability cuts, we agonize as we are the disabled being cut. if you have to make a decision over heating for the house, versus ‘can i afford this to help keep my eyesight? YES, thats agonizing, and thats what i do all the time. a disability pension only goes so far Minister for Health with special responsibility for disability and mental health. i am mental with this agonizing and thats a bloody fact.
The Irish bull. Where do you get the money? I take it for your comment that you are willing to pay additional tax , but , do you really think the people can afford to pay more tax? The cause is mighty but people are stretched. The idea that the State can just magic up the money is outdated. How much cash are you personally prepared to cough up to replace these grants, each week?
How about makin corporations cough up seeing as they wont even pay the 12.5% tax they are supposed to pay and how about cutting the salaries of the high end earners and special allowances for the political elite and how about nationalising our gas and oil ???…..shall i continue ??
Tua,
Thats the corporations that employ hundreds of thousands up and down the country… Give me a break….I work for these companies and know first hand that our corporation tax is a massive insentive.. I hear this kind of babble from Boyd Barrett all the time… rediculous.
Rory is bang on with his comment.
They are very kind to employ a man who can’t even spell incentive. Is this a quid pro quo for them paying around 4% ?
Rory , can you pay my bils ? I have a private contract with the ESB and you have to pay my bill….just like ANGLO they had private contracts with European banks and we are paying those bills, so will you pay my bills which you have no liability for ?
An actual tax take of 0.14% is a joke. As for them paying wages etc that a red herring. Our 12.5% rate is lowest in Europe by far. So implementing the full rate would not send these companies elsewhere. Ur stance is “half a loaf” politics. Except we ain’t getting half a loaf or even the crumbs of the corporate tables.
Kellehers scared? The thought of Fianna Fáil getting back into power scares me shitless!
This government is devoid of any humanity. They are a disgrace to this country. Enda is the most sniveling , two-faced p***k I have ever come across!!
I thought this government promised to look after the most vunerable in this country how come they didn’t tell the public what they really had planned once they had there massive wages and pensions sorted
Kathleen should be ashamed, especially considering the fact had she not made a full recovery, it could so easily be her on the receiving end of these cutbacks now: http://www.medicalindependent.ie/6797/ready_for_the_challenge
have your say