Latest news with #ElaineByrne
Extra.ie
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Garda oversight faced ‘unprecedented' lapse amid 'significant risk' warning
The Department of Justice only maintained Garda oversight during the new Policing Act's launch after the Policing Authority called ending it 'unprecedented, extraordinary and impolitic'. Last year, the government passed the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, which was to disband the Policing Authority (PA) and replace it with the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA). The PA was the civilian oversight body for An Garda Síochána, and the PCSA would have the same responsibilities to monitor the force. Pic: Karl M Photography/Shutterstock However, the Act was not set to be commenced until after the election and the formation of a new government. The general election took place on November 29, and government formation talks had not concluded by the time Elaine Byrne, chair of the PA, wrote to the then Justice Minister Helen McEntee on December 12. Ms Byrne noted that the PSCA Act was not set to be commenced until March 1, 2025. However, she pointed out that the terms of the members of the PA were set to expire on December 31, 2024, before the new body was set to officially be established and continue to provide oversight of the gardaí. Ms Byrne wrote to Ms McEntee expressing her concerns at this gap emerging and said she had been informed that 'consideration was being given' to the PCSA operating in a 'shadow capacity' until the legislation was formally commenced. She wrote: 'I am gravely concerned by the option being considered to not extend the current [Policing] Authority members' terms. Elaine Byrne. Pic: Leah Farrell / © 'In essence, this ends the ability of the Authority to fulfil any of its statutory functions under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).' Ms Byrne said this posed 'significant risks for the public accountability of Irish policing', adding: 'As a consequence of the proposed decision, there would be no independent, civilian oversight of the Garda Síochána for an undetermined period of time.' Ms Byrne said this was 'wholly unsatisfactory and unacceptable', adding: 'In my view, it is unprecedented, extraordinary and impolitic that a Minister for Justice would make a decision to end civilian oversight of the Garda Síochána for an undefined time. 'As you are aware, policing issues that significantly impact on public confidence can happen at any time. 'A decision not to continue with the Authority until the PCSA can be commenced would be a highly unusual and injudicious option to choose. It is fraught with risk and unnecessary in the context that there is an option to have continued oversight for a short period until such time as the Act is commenced.' Elaine Byrne. Pic: Leah Farrell / © She said the proposal to have the PCSA operate in a shadow capacity was 'not tenable'. Ms Byrne acknowledged the timing of the election had impacted on the department's plans, but said this was foreseeable. 'The drift of the commencement date across the course of 2024 has, disappointingly, rendered the current impasse almost inevitable,' she wrote. A Department of Justice spokesman said: 'At its meeting on December 19, 2024, the Government reappointed the chair and ordinary members of the Policing Authority for a period of no longer than six months, with effect from January 1, 2025. 'Minister McEntee wrote to the Authority members individually to confirm their reappointments thereafter. These appointments effectively ended on April 2, 2025, when [Justice] Minister [Jim] O'Callaghan commenced the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which provided for the establishment of An tÚdarás Póilíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail [the PCSA] and the dissolution of the Policing Authority.'
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Public views sought on policing priorities
The new oversight body for An Garda Síochána - the Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) is encouraging people to contribute to a public consultation that will help determine policing priorities in the future. Chairperson of the PCSA Elaine Byrne said the determination of policing priorities for An Garda Síochána is an important element of the PCSA's work. "The policing priorities, when determined, provide clarity on the key areas that require particular attention to improve policing services to the public." She said the priorities will also highlight the areas within which PCSA oversight will focus and set the context for the Garda Commissioner's development of An Garda Síochána's Strategic Plan and Annual Service Plan. Established last month, the PCSA is the successor organisation to the Policing Authority. The role of the PCSA is to independently oversee and assess the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services. It has assumed most of the existing functions of the Policing Authority, as well as an additional function in community safety. As part of its public consultation on the policing priorities for An Garda Síochána for 2026-2028, the organisation has set up a 10-minute online questionnaire that allows the public to allocate 'points' to the areas of policing they consider a priority. The PCSA consultation runs until 8 June, and it is open to anyone over 16 years of age. The organisation will also hold in-person public consultations. The first of which will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, this morning. Ms Byrne said the public consultation offers an opportunity for people to have their say on what they believe An Garda Síochána should prioritise. "It is important that communities and individuals have an opportunity to input into the development of the priorities. "Including more voices and perspectives will help significantly to determine what policing best delivers a sense of safety and security in the community," Ms Byrne said. The PCSA met in private with the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, recently, where they discussed the development of the policing priorities, An Garda Síochána's Annual Service Plan and the protection of children in the State, amongst other matters. The Authority will meet monthly with the Garda Commissioner to discuss policing performance and matters of community safety. These meetings with the Garda Commissioner will be held in public, and they will be live-streamed at least four times a year. The first public meeting will take place in three weeks. The PCSA said its establishment ushers in "a new era in policing accountability and community safety in Ireland". The objective, functions and powers of the PCSA are detailed in the Policing, Security and Community Safety (PSCS) Act 2024. The independent, statutory agency was established on 2 April 2025, following the commencement of PSCS legislation. The authority will also inform and advise the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, on developments in policing and on best policing practice.
