Minister for Justice thanks Commissioner for work of An Garda Síochána during COVID-19 pandemic
Recommits to implementation of recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland
The new Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has this morning met the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, at Slane Garda Station.
The Minister took the opportunity to thank the Commissioner, on behalf of the new Government, for the work to date of An Garda Síochána during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister McEntee said:
I have always been enormously proud of An Garda Síochána and, in particular, the strong relationship which the organisation has with local communities all across the State. The outstanding response to date of Gardaí to the COVID-19 pandemic has been built on the foundation of community policing which has not only characterised the organisation since its foundation, but will be the driving ethos of our police service into the future.
The Minister reiterated, to the Commissioner, the new Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
The Minister added,
An Garda Síochána will celebrate 100 proud years of serving the people of Ireland in 2022. The report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland lays out the roadmap for strengthening the organisation for its next 100 years and gives us a clear vision of a modern and effective policing service, with human rights as its foundation and community safety at its heart. I have assured the Commissioner this morning of my complete support for the work already underway and the priority which I am placing on implementing the report. I look forward to working closely with him over the coming years.
Addressing recent incidents in Drogheda, Minister McEntee said,
I want to reassure people that we are redoubling our efforts to tackle criminality in the Drogheda area. My Department works closely with Garda Youth Diversion Projects in the area, and will be providing additional supports to help young people who are at risk. It’s really important that we all work closely with An Garda Síochána in this regard, and the Commissioner has assured me that this is one of his priorities.
The Minister also took the opportunity to thank her predecessor, Mr Charlie Flanagan TD, for his work as Minister.
Minister McEntee concluded,
I would like to thank Charlie Flanagan for his sterling work as Minister for Justice and Equality over the last three years. I look forward to building on his achievements over the lifetime of this Government.
Notes to Editors:
Reports on the use of COVID-19 related powers by An Garda Síochána, including from the Policing Authority, can be found at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Use_of_Covid-19_related_powers_by_An_Garda_S%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na
The final report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland was published in September 2018. The recommendations of the report are being implemented by Government under the four-year implementation Plan, ‘A Policing Service for the Future’. More information on A Policing Service for the Future is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/065724-policing-reform/