‘By-the-book’ police force may not be a great match for us Irish

ALAN SHATTER, who resigned in shame last week from his job as Minister for Justice left behind a Government department that ‘isn't fit for purpose’. A harsh summation indeed, particularly so coming from Shatter's colleague, Minister Leo Varadkar, who was airing his views on the justice portfolio at the weekend.

Comments about the Garda Síochána haven't been any kinder following the publication of the damning Guerin report which outlined a raft of investigative failures, cover ups and low standards in the ranks of the Gardaí. The Guerin report was the final nail in the coffin for embattled Justice Minster Alan Shatter and he offered his resignation after little more than a quick glimpse at its contents.

Although he was recognised as a very hard-working, reforming Minister, Shatter was already on the rack over his handling of the Garda Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) bugging allegations, his use of Garda information to score a political point against Independent TD Mick Wallace and the recording of phone conversations in Garda stations. In the circumstances his decision to resign was to be welcomed, not least by Taoiseach Enda Kenny who has enough problems on his plate and is facing a hammering at the local election polls.

Prior to Shatter's departure we had the retirement/resignation of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan whose Achilles heel was also his “disgraceful” view of Garda whistleblowers and his failure to act on their allegations of serious and persistent misconduct within the force.

The upshot of all this is that there is now an accepted opinion that neither our police force nor our Department of Justice is ‘fit for purpose’. This isn't necessarily a view that will be shared in local communities where, for the most part, Gardaí are seen to be doing a good job in straitened, morale-sapping circumstances. But it is a view that has enough traction to generate political action, particularly from a Government that is desperate to avoid further accusations of sitting on the fence.

And we're well poised for action with a new Justice Minister and acting Garda Commissioner eager to make an impression. Next up, for sure and certain, will be a ‘root and branch' review of policing. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has already indicated that she is leaning in this direction and it won't be long before she's talking about ‘ the highest international standards' being applied in the Garda Síochána.

That will be welcomed too - why shouldn't we expect the highest possible standards from our police force? The only problem is that we, the Irish, are not designed and built to the ‘ highest international standards’ ourselves. We like a bit of wriggle room, a bit of leniency here and there, a penalty point or two set aside when the occasion merits it. A ‘ by-the-book’ police force might not be a great match for our national temperament. Besides, if we get much more of these highest international standards we'll be left wondering which flag to salute.

Of course we'll wish any Garda review the very best, with one note of caution: Be careful what you wish for.