The Policing Authority has today published a Review of Performance of Functions. This report to the Minister for Justice, which is required by section 62 O (4) of the Garda Síochána Act, reviews the performance of the functions of the Authority in its first five years of operation.

This report, which was submitted in early 2021, provided a welcome opportunity for the Authority to reflect and appraise how it has worked since its establishment and to consider how that might guide its approach in the years ahead. The report includes an independent review of how the Authority and its work are perceived by a range of relevant external bodies.

Chairperson, Bob Collins commented:

“This review identifies those areas where significant achievement can be reported, and also recognises some of the challenges that face the Authority in the years ahead. One of the striking outcomes of the review is that it has been established beyond question that independent oversight of policing is now integral to our public life, that the value of an external voice that explores, engages, encourages and evaluates the purpose and practice of our policing service is clear beyond doubt.”

This report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on Wednesday 14 April 2021, by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD.