Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1059. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if a review was undertaken within An Garda Síochána or within her Department into the public order incidents on Grafton Street in 2021; if so, the recommendations; and the actions that have been taken for each of these recommendations. [33910/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for all operational policing matters, including training and standard operating procedures. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters, but I am assured by the Commissioner that these are kept under review by the Garda authorities.
I am aware that, following any public order operation, An Garda Síochána’s practice is to conduct an operational debrief to identify any lessons to be learned and to inform the development of future policing operations and responses.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, following the public order incidents referred to by the Deputy, a review was carried out by the Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing and Community Engagement. I am further advised that the recommendations from this review were implemented by the Director of Training and Professional Development.
The recommendations implemented by the Director of Training and Professional Development were as follows:
• The introduction of a National Public Order and Public Safety Gold, Silver and Bronze command structure including training, accreditation and the development of a National Training Register.
• The creation and introduction of command and decision logs.
• The development of a specific training package for those involved in event planning.
• The consideration of the development of public order and public safety awareness training for delivery to members who are not public order trained.
• The creation and use of a standardised Planning and Briefing Model for An Garda Síochána.
For the Deputy’s information the Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU) have been issued with additional equipment in recent months, including:
• Mark 9 Incapacitant Spray Canisters and holsters for GNPOU, which has been rolled out to GNPOU members since the serious public order disturbances in Dublin City in November 2023.
• Round public order/riot shields have been bought, delivered, and issued to the GNPOU.
• GNPOU are now being issued with ASP Trifold handcuffs which will allow for quicker application of restraints to arrested persons in the various challenging environments where Garda members are deployed.
