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‘Landmark reform’ of policing legislation kicks in

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 will come into effect on 2 April  in a “landmark reform”, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has said.

The announcement follows the Government's approval of the secondary legislation required to support commencement.

Accountability

He said that the act was designed to improve the performance and accountability of An Garda Síochána.

The act responds to key recommendations made by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) and introduces a comprehensive framework aimed at modernising policing while maintaining its community-focused ethos.

“This act provides an extensive new framework for policing and community safety,” said O’Callaghan.

“It strengthens accountability and aims to ensure that An Garda Síochána remains a professional, modern, and effective police service.”

Features 

The act brings about several significant structural changes:

• A new Policing and Community Safety Authority (PCSA) will replace the current Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate,
• GSOC (Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission) will be restructured as Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman,
• A new Garda Board will oversee internal governance within An Garda Síochána, enhancing strategic planning and decision-making processes,
• A National Office for Community Safety will be created to implement the Government’s strategy for improving community safety across Ireland.

The PCSA will oversee An Garda Síochána functions.

There will be changes to the Garda recruitment process – including the establishment of new regulations for performance, conduct, and professional standards

Accountability

Minister O’Callaghan said that the reforms were crucial to enhancing public trust and accountability in policing.

The Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 will be replaced with more modern frameworks for governing conduct and performance.

Additional regulations will address the recruitment and promotion of senior garda members – including appointments to ranks such as Sergeant and Assistant Garda Commissioner.

The Independent Examiner of Security Legislation Mr Justice George Birmingham will assume office on 2 April.

This newly created role will independently review Ireland's security legislation and ensure its alignment with human-rights standards.

Dr Elaine A Byrne has been appointed to chair the Policing and Community Safety Authority.

Internal governance

The newly established Garda Board, designed to enhance internal governance, will be led by Dr Donal de Buitleir.

A motion will be brought before the Dáil next week to approve the revised funding allocations for both the PCSA and Fiosrú.

The new members of the PCAA are:

• Joe Costello, a Councillor on Dublin City Council from 2019-2023,
• Michael Feehan, consultant with the Independent Policing Consultancy since 2017 and previously chief security officer for the Dublin Airport Authority,
• Nessa Lynch, Matheson lecturer in Law, Innovation and Technology in the School of Law at University College Cork,
• Martina Moloney, Galway County Manager (2003-2014),
• Freda McKittrick, social worker and head of Barnardos guardian ad litem service since 2000 and board member with Legal Aid Board,
• Tony O’Brien, DG of HSE, 2012-2018,
• Ken O’Leary, of Department of Justice and Equality and Deputy Secretary, Criminal Justice from 2015-2017,
• Emma Reidy, Aoibhneas Domestic Support for Women and Children,
• Helen Hall, current chief of Policing Authority, will be appointed as PCSA chief on commencement day.