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The government is failing to recognise the scale of problems within An Garda Síochána, which call for exceptional measures including an entirely new senior management team, Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD said today.

Deputy Shortall said:

“The government’s response to the resignation of the Garda Commissioner and their hands-off response to mounting problems within the Garda really shows a total lack of appreciation of the depth of the crisis of confidence facing our police force.

“This issue can’t be tackled simply by recruiting a new Garda Commissioner and then continuing with business as usual. Putting a new person at the head of a dysfunctional organisation without addressing the causes of the deep-rooted cultural problems within the force is a recipe for disaster.

“It is time for exceptional measures, starting with the recruitment of a whole new senior management team, some of whom should be recruited from outside this jurisdiction. Their role should be to bring about a fundamental change in the present culture of the Garda Síochána and to oversee a step-change in how the force operates and is managed. Senior gardaí should be invited to reapply for their current positions within a reformed force and if necessary, some of them should be given an opportunity to take early retirement.

“The statements by Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and his government colleagues in the wake of the resignation of Commissioner O’Sullivan show a total lack of appreciation of the enormous scale of the problems facing our police force and the nature of reforms required.”

ENDS

11 September 2017

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