Speaking this evening at Garda Headquarters, Mr Callinan commented:
"I welcome the publication today of the Garda Inspectorate’s 9th Report as part of its statutory role to assist and advise An Garda Síochána in the delivery of best standard policing services.
Garda Inspectorate Report Commissioner Callinan's statement 12th March 2014
Statement from Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Martin Callinan.
Speaking this evening at Garda Headquarters, Mr Callinan commented:
"I welcome the publication today of the Garda Inspectorate’s 9th Report as part of its statutory role to assist and advise An Garda Síochána in the delivery of best standard policing services.
As with all the stakeholders involved in the on-going development of the Fixed Charge Notice System, An Garda Síochána’s primary focus is in ensuring that the system continues its success in improving road safety and reducing road fatalities through the application of analysis and technology. In this regard, the Inspectorate’s report contains valuable feedback and advice on how the system can be enhanced over the short, medium and long-term.
In particular, I very much welcome the Garda Inspectorate’s proposal of the formation of a Criminal Justice Working Group chaired by the Department of Justice & Equality and including An Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, the Courts Service, and the Road Safety Authority to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the Inspectorate’s recommendations over the short, medium and long-term.
An Garda Síochána looks forward to making a significant contribution to the Working Group in its examination of how best to implement the Inspectorate’s recommendations.
As I have stated previously, following the C&AG, O'Mahoney, and the Garda Professional Standards Unit reports, which highlighted issues in the Fixed Charge Notice System requiring corrective action, An Garda Síochána moved quickly to introduce new measures that have strengthened the system. As part of that on-going process, several recommendations contained in the Inspectorate’s report are already well advanced.
In addition, following the O'Mahoney report, disciplinary measures were taken against a small number of personnel who failed to follow the proper procedures and written advices were issued to a further number of officers who acted outside policy and procedures.
As demonstrated by this swift reaction to the issues highlighted by the C&AG, O’Mahoney, and the Garda Professional Standards Unit reports, An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that the Fixed Charge Notice System is operated in an effective and efficient manner; fairly and consistently so as to ensure it has the confidence of the public; and, most importantly, that it continues to play an important role in improving road safety by reducing poor driver behaviour.
An Garda Síochána will continue that strong commitment in its work with the Garda Inspectorate and the Working Group.
I would like to once again thank the Garda Inspectorate for the important work it carries out in assisting An Garda Síochána in the delivery of excellent policing services for the benefit of all the people we serve.
There is one other matter that I would like to address and which has been in the public domain for some time and which refers to the use of the term disgusting at my recent Public Accounts Committee appearance on the 23rd January 2014. I want to clarify that my use of that term was not in reference to the character of either Sgt McCabe or former Garda Wilson, but the manner in which personal and sensitive data was inappropriately appearing in the public domain without regard to due process and fair procedures.
I stated at the PAC and re-iterate now my absolute support and commitment to any member of An Garda Síochána who reports wrongdoing of any kind.
In conclusion, I am conscious that an examination of some of these matters is currently being undertaken by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and it would not be appropriate to comment further until GSOC has finished its work."
