Yes-----

-----where it goes but I do not know too many people who would go into the Garda station to read the service plan.

I said I do not know too many people who would go into the Garda station to read the service plan, but-----

As I have outlined, and as stated clearly in the subsection, reports may be made available in such other manner as the Minister may specify. This could absolutely include libraries, but it is not to be put into primary legislation. There is no need for it to be specific nor should it be specific on the implementation of the strategic plan.

The justice committee can look over this at any point. There is a standard way in which memos and documents are laid before the Houses. A debate or approval is not required but a debate could be had at any time.

I have answered that, I think, three times now.

Regarding oversight of the functions but also performance, the Commissioner is accountable to the board. When it comes to issues further down in An Garda Síochána, they are accountable to the Garda Commissioner, but the Commissioner is accountable to the Minister, to the authority and, of course, to the Oireachtas. I am sure we will speak to sections 72 and 73, which outline the ability for the Oireachtas to govern when it comes to overall expenditure. Of course the Government has the ability to top up resourcing t…

I think I probably have addressed some of the points that have been raised.

Again, it is fair to say that the Garda Commissioner is accountable, in a number of different ways, to the board, the Policing Authority and the Oireachtas. Where somebody is not performing, there is an ability on the part of the Commissioner to try to respond, whether it is a change in policy or a requirement for additional resources. This will happen in the way it always happens. People are held accountable and if changes are needed then they are responded to in the most effective way possible.

I am sure Senators are aware that the annual service plan is around the services that are being provided by the Garda based on the strategic plan it has just set out. All the points I have referred to in how the strategic plan is developed can involve engagement with the community or whoever the Commissioner sees fit. This is about looking at the resources that are then needed and how that is put in place.

There is an entire section on the community safety partnerships, as the Senator will be aware. This section is about the service plan that the Garda Commissioner puts in place to roll out the resources that are necessary for the overall plan. There is a role for communities and others to engage with the Policing Authority, the board or ourselves as Members, to make sure the strategic plan represents what it is that the Garda needs to do and is doing on a daily basis in our communities. The service plan is about how…

It is not necessary for this section.

The amendment seeks to place an obligation on the Commissioner to inform the authority, in addition to the board and the Minister, of "any actions, proposed actions, omissions or proposed omissions" which would exceed the resources available to An Garda Síochána for the period of the service plan. It is very much the view, as discussed previously, that this would go against one of the key principles that applies throughout the Bill, as envisaged by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, namely, that g…

This section is specific to whom the Garda Commissioner must engage with if the resources available to his or her for the period of a particular plan are to be exceeded. As I mentioned, we are ensuring the Commissioner must engage with the Minister and the board, which will now have responsibility for oversight where resources have been exceeded or will potentially be exceeded. The Commissioner will then engage with the Minister if additional funding is required, as would be the case for additional overtime or for …

The term “as soon as practicable” is standard language. If we do not set a timeline, the Commissioner might be able to inform the board and the Minister even sooner. This term allows the Commissioner to inform us as soon as possible. Regarding financial accountability, sections 72 and 73 deal with the Commissioner appearing before Oireachtas committees to respond.

For clarity, I am quite happy to sit until midnight or whenever Members deem suitable this evening-----

-----or I am happy to come back tomorrow.

I am happy to come back after Private Members' business. The first question was on the timeline of the plan. It would normally be for three to five years. It is clearly stated at the beginning of the section that that is to be specified by the Minister. It is a three-to-five year plan, because we align it with the national development plan. It is to ensure we have a multi-annual plan that can change. There may be delays, so there is always a level of flexibility within the overall plan, be that on a yearly or a mul…

I will reiterate the point that the capital plan is for rural and urban areas. It does not distinguish between them. It is only appropriate that the Garda Commissioner, who is responsible for the resourcing of the Garda, would be responsible for the roll-out of any capital plan. I do not have any figures in front of me in respect of unused Garda stations.

No, there is a separate capital plan for prisons that come in under the Department of Justice. The Act itself has to assume compliance with the ten days. In extreme circumstances, one would go to the board and issue what I am not sure would be a warning but it would be assumed that if the Minister directed something to be done within the ten days that it would happen, or that reasonable excuse could be given as to why that cannot be the case. There would need to be engagement. The assumption is that there would be …