1^st March 2003  

PRESS RELEASE

GREENS CALL FOR GARDA OMBUDSMAN

The Green Party called for a Garda Ombudsman at their Annual Convention in Ennis today.

“The Guards deserve our respect, but they need significant reforms if they are to be capable of responding to the needs of twenty first century Ireland,” stated Ciarán Cuffe, Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform at the Green Party’s Convention.

 “Recruitment is one area that needs to be addressed.    We are living in a multicultural society and it is imperative that we reflect this in our police force by making a concerted effort to recruit people from ethnic minorities.  One very worrying problem with the recruitment process is the failure to notice the gender imbalance in the force, over 85% of the force are men.  We want to see an increase of women entering the force by the end of the year,” continued Deputy Cuffe.

“We want to allow the public to use modern methods such as faxes, mobile phones and email to contact the Garda when reporting crimes.  Yet the Garda are still using ledgers.  They need to introduce new crime reporting methods that complement the modernised, technical world in which we live in,” claimed Deputy Ciarán Cuffe.

 “Finally deeply disturbing incidents such as the tactics used at the Reclaim The Streets demonstration last May reinforces the urgency to appoint a Garda Ombudsman, who would be independent and impartial and would have the powers to investigate complaints against members of the force.  Having a system whereby Garda are investigating other Garda promotes corruption and secrecy.  It is time to promote transparency in the police force.  We need to ask why are we waiting so long for an Obudsman?  Why does the Freedom of Information Act not cover the Garda Síochána as was originally planned at the passing of the Act, which would aid accountability?  The recommendations in the Patten report should not stop at the Border, and we call on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law reform to introduce a Garda Ombudsman without delay, “ concluded Deputy Cuffe.

ENDS

For Further Information

Ciarán Cuffe TD - 0872652075

Steve Rawson - 0872357551