New Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan will have a difficult task ensuring the emergence of a more responsive, public-friendly attitude among members of the Garda. A "them and us" attitude to authority by rank-and-file gardaí will have to be overcome and, as last week's final report by Gordon Holmes of the Garda Complaints Board makes clear, a willingness to apologise quickly to citizens when mistakes are made should be encouraged.
Surveys have consistently shown support for the Garda Síochána to be at a high level. Such approval is vital in allowing gardaí conduct their inquiries. Damage to that public confidence would be unfortunate in the extreme and represent a setback for law and order. That is why attention should be paid to the views of Mr Holmes, who has consistently championed the work of the Garda and sought to improve relations with the public.
People in all organisations find it difficult to say "sorry" when errors are made. The more power individuals are given, the more difficult they find it to admit being wrong. Precisely because of that, gardaí should be able to formally acknowledge a genuine mistake, without it impacting on their career prospects. Such a culture would improve relations with the public and obviate hugely expensive cases for civil damage.
Michael McDowell introduced a new disciplinary regime last year. A Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission was appointed. And a Garda Inspectorate now advises on best international practice. In spite of all that, it is disheartening to learn that Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy failed to take action in more than half of the cases referred to him by Mr Holmes for minor breaches of discipline. Authority is ephemeral. Like a broken window in a street; if it is not fixed, other panes of glass are damaged and the neighbourhood decays. If minor disciplinary offences within the Garda Síochána are ignored, what hope is there of maintaining firm control when more important issues arise?
Judges are not the only people who resent being told what to do by the Oireachtas. Mandatory drug sentencing was resisted in the same way that gardaí failed to prosecute publicans for serving alcohol to drunken customers. And while discretion can be important in such matters, an effective crack-down on the mindless violence that pervades our streets after pub closing times requires tough, sometimes unpopular, action. Mr Lenihan has promised a review of pub closing times. It is a start. He must also ensure the public order measures and the Garda disciplinary regime put in place by his predecessor are fully implemented.