merrion street

The Government welcomes the publication of NESC’s report Quality and Standards in Human Services in Ireland: Policing and the Search for Continuous Improvement.

This study is a very useful consideration of the policing reforms that have taken place to date under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, particularly in relation to the roles and functions of the oversight bodies. The Report makes some practical suggestions about how these reforms could be further advanced. The Report broadly commends the thrust of the reforms to date, notably the decision to set up a number of new institutions under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Each of these bodies has a distinct role to play in monitoring and enhancing the quality of policing in Ireland. The Report makes some useful suggestions about how the functioning of these organisations could be strengthened. Some of the suggested reforms, such as the resolution of service-type complaints against Gardaí, are already being considered by the Department of Justice and Equality.