THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced a public consultation on establishing an independent policing authority.

It was good timing to launch the consultation today, as the Guerin report on the handling of allegations of garda misconduct was published earlier. In a statement, Enda Kenny’s department said it considers it is important that there will be a full public debate on the issue of policing and justice reform.

The intention is to have the new authority in place by the end of the year. Proposals are currently being developed but the government is asking the public for written submissions on options for the establishment of the authority, including:

• Functions and responsibilities of the policing authority;
• Appointment and membership of the authority;
• Its relationship with the government and the Oireachtas;
• Implications for the Garda Ombudsman and the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

Submissions can be made until 31 May and details on where to send them can be found here.

Read: Labour reminds us it wanted a Garda Authority 14 years ago>