Independents 4 Change TD Clare Daly
This morning.
On RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke.
Independents 4 Change TD Clare Daly spoke to Sean O’Rourke in light of Noirin O’Sullivan’s resignation.
From the discussion…
Clare Daly: “I think there’s been an attempt here to kind of change the narrative to sort of portray the former commissioner as a sort of a victim. Too many people asking questions, she couldn’t get on with the job – the reason why there were so many people asking questions is that answers weren’t being given. Transparency and accountability wasn’t being delivered.
“And the sad fact is that there was open warfare inside the hierarchy of An Garda Siochana, between the civilian heads and between most of the senior garda management. And sadly, we’ve had a roadmap for how to deliver a modern police service, based on really comprehensive reports that were done by the Garda Inspectorate in previous years which all we need to do is implement them.
“And the problem being that the people at the top of An Garda Siocahana come from the old guard and are not best equipped to deal with that type of change that is necessary to herald in a new type of Garda management.”
Sean O’Rourke: “So you’re talking about, not just a new commissioner but a new top layer of management are you?”
Daly: “I think that’s absolutely necessary and we would be very concerned with some of the recent promotions by the Policing Authority for people who we know have been the subject of serious complaints and investigations by GSOC and Garda management, in example, for harassment of whistleblowers, have actually ended up on the promotion list. And…”
O’Rourke: “So the Policing Authority has to go as well, does it?”
Daly: “No, the Policing Authority has to be…”
O’Rourke: “If they’re promoting these people…”
Daly: “What this Government didn’t want it to be – a fully independent body. Let’s remember the personnel of the present Policing Authority were effectively hand-picked by the last government, there wasn’t open recruitment and selection for that. And their hands have been tied and they’ve allowed their hands to be tied even further. I made the example earlier and what happened in Scotland and other jurisdictions, they seem to manage it perfectly well.
“Where a garda commissioner or a chief constable, whatever they’re called, are actually held to account by a proper policing authority. We haven’t go that here. We’ve got a halfway house and the legislation has been there to deal with it.”
Listen back in full here
Earlier: Changing Of The Guards
You will respect my AUTHORITY!!
A great victory for Clare and for Mick in their stand against corruption.
+2017
Well done Clare Daly.
I have zero in common with Clare Daly on virtually every topic. But she’s right on this one.