The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, this afternoon welcomed the new Garda Commissioner to the Department of Justice and Equality as Drew Harris took up his new role.
Following their discussions, Minister Flanagan said: “I was pleased to welcome Commissioner Harris to my office today to discuss the Government’s policing priorities with him on his first day in office. Our wide ranging discussion reflected the nature of the challenges facing police forces today and ranged from gangland crime to rural policing, Garda visibility, cybercrime, roads policing, White Collar Crime, and overall public safety. We discussed accountability and the importance of the Garda reform programme, which will ensure world class policing.
“We looked ahead to the forthcoming report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which will set out a new vision of policing in Ireland later this month.
“I assured Commissioner Harris of my support, as he goes about his challenging and important role.
“Today is an important day in the history of An Garda Síochána and the organisation has every reason to look to the future with optimism. Later this week I will join the Commissioner in Templemore where around 200 new recruits will formally join the ranks, as we continue to rebuild the organisation.”
Minister Flanagan added: “I was pleased to be joined at the meeting by Aidan O’Driscoll, who today took up his role as Secretary General in the Department of Justice and Equality. As the Dáil recess draws to an end, I am looking forward to a very busy and active period ahead as Minister for Justice and Equality.”
