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Transparency International calls for public consultation in Garda reform

TI Ireland, Transparency International’s national chapter in Ireland , has called for consultation with the general public in drafting and implementation of the upcoming Garda Reform Bill. Transparency International (TI) is a leading civil society organisation dedicated to the global fight against corruption.

“Organisational deficiencies and a lack of transparency and accountability in the governance of An Garda Síochána should be addressed with the participation of all stakeholders,” said TI Ireland acting Chief Executive John Devitt. He continued, “The issues raised in the second report of the Morris Tribunal point to systemic problems that can not be addressed by simply indicting members of the Garda Síochána for alleged corruption.“

The Morris Tribunal has just published its second report on corruption and negligence in the Donegal division of the Garda Síochána (Irish police force) during the mid 1990s. The Irish Minister of Justice, Michael McDowell, has also recently published a Garda Reform Bill and appointed an implementation review body for the legislation.

A public forum would serve to discuss the design and implementation of relevant legislation and would help to restore public confidence and international visibility for reform within Irish policing structures.

Notes to editors

The views of the Irish public towards Garda accountability reflect international trends on attitudes to police forces elsewhere. According to Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer 2004, respondents viewed the Irish police force as the fourth most corrupt sector, with political parties perceived as the most corrupt. The Irish police scored 3.1 on a scale from a corrupt-free 1 to an extremely corrupt score of 5.

Sector

Ireland

World Average

Political parties

3.9

4

Legal system / Judiciary

3.3

3.6

Parliament/Legislature

3.2

3.7

Police

3.1

3.4

Business/ private sector

3.1

3.4

Tax revenue

3

3.4

Medical services

2.8

3.3

Religious bodies

2.8

2.7

Media

2.8

3.3

Utilities (telephone, electricity, water, etc.)

2.3

3

Customs

2.3

3.3

Education system

2.2

3.1

NGOs (non governmental organizations)

2.2

2.8

The military

2.1

2.9

Registry and permit services (civil registry for birth, marriage, licenses, permits)

2

3