Pringle says policing bill needs clarity around oversight and accountability

By Thomas Pringle
Updated: 24th March 2023

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, said the new policing bill needs clarity around oversight and accountability.

Addressing the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Pringle detailed a number of concerns he had with the bill regarding oversight, accountability, and the re-politicisation of policing.

Deputy Pringle said: “There is no clarity in this legislation as to how oversight and accountability are to be achieved in practice, despite the fact that one of the aims of the legislation was to simplify accountability structures.”

He noted that following numerous scandals, key oversight and governance functions were moved from the minister to the Policing Authority in order to depoliticise policing in Ireland.

Deputy Pringle said: “However, this legislation looks to move these to a board that will be internal to An Garda Síochána, with a number of powers being returned to the Minister. This is even less independent than before these scandals and it reflects the government’s intention to repoliticise policing.”

He said: “The Board will not be as independent or as transparent as it should be and it will conduct its activities in private, which I think is very wrong. Although it is important that internal governance structures are strong, we still need to ensure external, independent input to and oversight of these key matters of governance.”

The deputy was speaking during the debate on the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023.

The deputy said that instead of establishing a board, “we should look at strengthening the power of and assigning more of a budget to the Authority, who have actually done a good job of depoliticising policing in this country.” He said the Authority should also continue their role in appointing the Garda Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. The legislation would return those to government appointments, with the Authority and board merely consulted, he said.

Among the concerns he cited, Deputy Pringle said: “The Authority, as the oversight body, has the greatest perspective on how the Commissioner is performing their functions. The Authority should also continue their role in overseeing the delivery of the service plan, a role they have had since they were established. I note this legislation seeks to bring the form and manner of the service plan back within control of the Minister again.

“I also find the Minister’s role to determine whether a particular matter is one of policing and security, as outlined in this legislation, deeply problematic. This distinction should not be politicised and it should not be for the Minister to determine whether a matter is one of policing or security.”

Deputy Pringle said he also believed the bill missed an opportunity to provide for a trauma-informed approach to policing which, he said, “would lead to greater understanding of the needs of those interacting with the gardaí, more effective interventions and greater confidence in policing”.

The deputy also said it is vitally important that unions are involved in consultation when legislation has the potential to affect their members and echoed Fórsa’s concerns about the removal of the separate titles of ‘Garda member’ and ‘Garda staff’.”

Deputy Pringle said: “It seems that this legislation will bring the Minister many new powers including, but not limited to, policing plans, strategic plans and senior appointments. This reflects a backwards step for policing in this country and it is extremely disappointing that many opportunities for significant policing reform have been missed.”

Deputy Pringle was continuing comments he had started when the debate on the bill began earlier this month. He had said: “I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the immense contribution made by Dr Vicky Conway to the scrutiny of this legislation. The legislation is better for it and there is no doubt that her legacy will live on through the many incredible contributions she has made to Irish legislation and policing reform throughout her life.”