An independent inspectorate to investigate allegations made against the Garda Síochána will form the cornerstone of reforms to be announced today by the Government. Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent, reports.
The three-strong inspectorate, to replace the Garda Complaints Board, will be able to launch investigations into Garda activities, even when complaints have not been made by the public.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, will be under pressure to show that the new body will be the equal of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.
Two of the positions on the body are likely to be taken by former senior police officers, including one with international experience, along with a senior former judge.
Mr McDowell's plan, which should be brought into law within a year, was cleared last week by the Cabinet, which is increasingly concerned about the decline in the Garda's standing with the public.
Two tribunals, one led by Mr Justice Morris and the other by Mr Justice Barr, are examining allegations of corruption against some Donegal-based gardaí and the killing of Mr John Carthy in Abbeylara.
Today's legislation will require senior local Garda officers to liaise closely with local community leaders, though the community liaison bodies to be created will not have the standing of the District Policing Boards in Northern Ireland.
The changes will also make the new Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy, responsible to the Oireachtas for Garda spending, though other managerial changes will have to be introduced first.
A civilian finance director already recruited by the Garda will be directed to keep much greater control over spending, along with a team of outside accountants.Commissioner Conroy will be required to implement three-year corporate plans, with performance targets.
A new policing policy and planning forum made up of senior officials from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as well as Garda representatives is also to be established under the McDowell plan.
Labour TD, Mr Joe Costello, remained cautious about the McDowell reforms, which have been heavily trumpeted by the Minister since he took over the Justice, Equality and Law Reform brief more than a year ago.
"They will be of little value unless he takes the radical measures required to address the declining public confidence in the Garda and the entire policing system in this country," Mr Costello said.
The "once-strong relationship" between the gardaí and the public "has been sapped by very serious allegations of misconduct" and the perception that officers are now slow to respond to calls from the public. "There is no longer any public confidence in the Garda complaints system and any reform package must have as a central element a full Garda Ombudsman with powers similar to those held by the Ombudsman in Northern Ireland.
"There must also be an independent Garda authority to oversee new and more accountable structures and practices in the force," added Mr Costello, the Labour spokesman on justice.