The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD, has today commenced the landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
As a result, the following bodies are now established:
- The Garda Board;
- The Policing and Community Safety Authority (replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate);
- Fiosrú – the Office of the Police Ombudsman;
- The Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation; and
- The National Office for Community Safety.
The office holders, senior leaders and Board and Authority members to these new and reformed bodies will now formally take up their appointments and roles.
Later today, the President will formally appoint Ms Emily Logan as Ireland’s first Police Ombudsman.
Marking the occasion, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“It is my great pleasure to commence this Act and deliver on the Government’s commitment to the reform of policing, security and community safety in Ireland.
“This process began with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland in 2018 and today a range of new office holders, senior leaders and Board and Authority members in these new bodies take up their roles. I wish them and the staff in these bodies every success in carrying out their functions.”
The commencement of the Act follows the establishment of new Votes for the Policing and Community Safety Authority and Fiosrú – The Office of the Police Ombudsman on Tuesday. Dáil approval was required for the allocation of funds to the two bodies through a Revised Estimate and a motion was brought by the Minister before the Dáil to approve the allocations.
