That the core structures of An Garda Síochána are in need of fundamental re-examination is a given. They have remained unaltered for more than 80 years while the community which the force serves has changed beyond all recognition. Accordingly, the disclosure by this newspaper yesterday that the official group charged with improving the quality of management within the public service has finalised its work in An Garda Síochána with the completion of a third report, is welcome in so far as it goes.
In its Report to Government on the Review of Garda Síochána Structures and Organisation, the so-called Implementation Steering Group has proposed greater centralisation of manpower within the force, with fewer Garda divisions and districts and a reduction in the opening hours of many Garda stations. The objective, the group says, is to achieve more effective policing. A review of stations in Dublin and the south-east found that between 80 and 90 per cent of those calling to Garda stations did so during regular office hours and that most required a Garda signature for passports, licences etc.
The group's focus on centralisation is known to have raised some concerns within An Garda Síochána. One obvious issue is the further distancing of gardaí from the community they serve. However, it would be premature to draw conclusions until the report is published in full.
What is worrying, though, is the manner in which the issue is being handled by the Minister for Justice. He indicated last month that older Garda stations could be closed to release resources to police rapidly developing housing estates. When confronted by the Opposition, however, he and Government colleagues insisted there were "no plans" to close any stations. The Opposition has now accused Mr McDowell of concealing the report in advance of the elections. And when the controversy was reported by commercial radio yesterday, Fianna Fáil complained to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland that the stations involved were breaching the moratorium on material which might influence voters.
There are echoes here of the kind of politicisation which has dogged An Garda Síochána and allowed it to be used as a political pawn by successive governments. What the force requires - in contrast to the private deliberations of the Implementation Steering Group - is a process of fundamental re-examination which would consign this politicisation to the past, bring the Garda's organisation and structures into line with best international practice and do so in a public way on the basis of wide-ranging input. Eighty years on, this process is better late than never.