Garda ‘will be transformed’, says Minister

The Guerin report raises "fundamental issues about An Garda Síochána, their investigation of criminal cases and the responses to serious concerns raised about them", Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has told the Dáil.

In her first address to the House in her new portfolio, she also said the report raises fundamental issues about “Garda management and oversight, basic policing procedures and the role of bodies such as GSOC [Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission] and the Department of Justice and Equality”.

Systemic problems
Opening a two-hour debate on the Guerin report, which looked at a dossier of complaints by Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe into malpractice in criminal investigations, Ms Fitzgerald said there had to be a "programme of significant reform" of the wider historic and systemic problems.

She said many of the issues were raised in the reports of the Morris tribunal and action was taken. “Changes were made. GSOC and the Garda Inspectorate were established.”

But “time passed and systems failed”, she said. “That’s the truth of it. And that’s a truth that should inform our thinking from now on. We must never be seduced into believing that a once-in-a-lifetime radical reform is enough.”

She said she believed the oversight and governance of the Garda Síochána “will be transformed with the establishment of an independent Garda authority”.

“The highest levels of legal support and protection will be given to Garda whistleblowers,” she said.

“The remit, strength and capacity of GSOC will be enhanced to enable the effective and independent examination of complaints.”

Critical role
Ms Fitzgerald also acknowledged the "very difficult experience Sgt McCabe has had, and the critical role he played in bringing these issues forward".

The Government had agreed to her proposals, she said, for the establishment of an external expert review of the performance, management and administration of the Department of Justice to be completed before the Dáil summer recess.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins said what "really needs to be considered" are other cases not in the public domain.

He called for a facility to be provided for such cases to be looked at on their merits and be considered for inclusion in the commission of investigation.