08-05-2025
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.
