Dáil to vote on Garda reform legislation today

The Government is expected to pass controversial new legislation to reform the Garda Síochána, in the Dáil today.

The Government is expected to pass controversial new legislation to reform the Garda Síochána, in the Dáil today.

The Labour Party has objected to the legislation, claiming the Government would be able to demand to see garda files on themselves and others, and described the legislation as"'sweeping and illiberal".

The vote is expected to take place later this afternoon.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell rejected the Labour Party's claims yesterday, claiming the powers were necessary because the Garda refused to give the Government sight of an internal investigation into Donegal Garda corruption in 2000 and 2001.

READ MORE

Mr O'Donoghue received a 37-page summary of this report in August 2000, compiled by current Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy, but frequent requests for the full document were rebuffed.

The Garda believed the file, which had also gone to the Director of Public Prosecutions, should not be sent to the Government, and the DPP did not disagree.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) walked out of a meeting with Justice officials on learning of some of the Minister's amendments to the bill.

Under the changes, the commissioner, with the consent of the Government, can sack gardaí up to the rank of inspector summarily if their continued presence damages public confidence.

"The Government can sack a superintendent, but the commissioner can't sack a garda facing disciplinary action if he goes on sick leave for two years," the Minister said.