IRELAND

General

Growing Irish Nationalism resulted in independence from the United Kingdom in 1921, with six largely Protestant northern counties remaining within the UK. After World War II bloody strife between Catholics and Protestants over the status of Northern Ireland cost thousands of lives. Successive Irish Governments sought to consolidate the economy and institutions of the new State. The Constitution of Ireland in 1937 and the Republic of Ireland Act 1948 severed Ireland's last formal links with Britain. Ireland remained neutral during the Second World War and does not belong to any military alliance. Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and joined the European Community in 1973. In 1998, substantial steps toward peace were agreed to by the British and Irish governments and the Roman Catholics and Protestants of Northern Ireland.

Government

Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. Its law is based on common law and legislation enacted by Parliament under the Constitution. Regulations of the European Communities have the force of law in Ireland. The Constitution of Ireland sets out the form of government and defines the powers and functions of the President, both Houses of Parliament ('Oireachtas') and the Government. It also defines the structure and powers of the Courts and sets out the fundamental rights of citizens.

The President is the Head of State. Where there is more than one candidate for the office, the President is elected by direct vote of the people. There are two Houses of Parliament, respectively known as 'Dáil' (House of Representatives) and 'Seanad' (Senate). The Dáil has 166 members at present. Elections take place at least once every five years. Every citizen over the age of 18 has the right to vote. The five main political parties represented in the Dáil are 'Fianna Fáil', 'Fine Gael', 'Labour', 'The Progressive Democrats' and 'The Workers' Party'. The Seanad has 60 members. It may initiate or amend legislation, but the Dáil has the power to reject any such amendments or proposed legislation. Executive power is exercised by or on the authority of the Government, which is responsible to the Dáil. The head of the Government is the 'Taoiseach' (Prime Minister).

Local Government

Local government is administered by 113 local authorities funded partly by State grants and partly by local taxes on non-residential property. Local government has responsibility for public housing, water and sanitation, road maintenance, vocational education and certain other services. Health services are provided by eight Health Boards organised on a regional basis and funded by the Department of Health. Other aspects of administration operated on a regional basis include tourism promotion, industrial development and fishery conservation.

The Courts System

The Constitution of Ireland provides that justice shall be administered in public by courts established by law. Summary offences and minor civil cases are dealt with by the District Court presided over by a District Justice. More serious cases are dealt with by the Circuit Court, presided over by a Judge who sits with a jury of twelve citizens in criminal cases. The most serious cases are heard by the High Court, presided over by a Judge; when trying criminal cases its sits with a jury and is known as the Central Criminal Court. The court of final appeal is the Supreme Court which is also the final arbiter on the interpretation of the Constitution.

Economy

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth averaging 9.5% in 1995-98. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which accounts for 39% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and employs 28% of the labour force. Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland’s robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise in consumer spending and recovery in both construction and business investment. Over the past decade, the Irish government has implemented a series of national economic programmes designed to curb inflation, reduce government spending, and promote foreign investment. Although the unemployment rate has been halved, it remains high, and job creation is a primary concern of government policy. Recent efforts have concentrated on improving workers qualifications and the education system. Ireland joined in launching the Euro currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations.

Police

Introduction

The responsibility for the maintenance of law and order in the Irish Republic, rests on the Garda Síochána ( in English -"Guardians of the Peace") a Force which came into being in February, 1922, following the setting-up of a native Government arising from the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December, 1921. The Garda Síochána is a national and un-armed police force; its activities cover the whole State, and its members are liable for service anywhere in the State. It has uniform rates of pay, a common disciplinary code and is administered on a national basis.

History

The police system as observed nowadays with salaried officers appointed to assist in law enforcement, maintenance of public order, and the apprehension of offenders, originated nearly two hundred years ago. The English legal historian F.W. Maitland, dates the system back to the passing by the Irish Parliament of the Dublin Police Act, in 1786. Prior to 1822, the only police in Ireland were watchmen employed by local authorities in the large towns and "barony constables" in rural areas. In 1822, an Act was passed establishing 4 provincial police forces with depots in the North (Armagh), West (Balinrobe), Midlands (Daingean) and South (Ballincollig). In 1836 these forces were amalgamated to form the "Irish Constabulary" which was responsible for the whole country except the capital- Dublin. The amalgamated Force was placed under the control of an Inspector-General whose Headquarters were in Dublin Castle. In 1867, the Force was given the title "Royal Irish Constabulary". Dublin City was policed by a separate Force - the Dublin Metropolitan Police - which was established by an Act of Parliament in 1836 and its first recruit attested in July 1837. Their Headquarters was also based at Dublin Castle. Unlike the R.I.C., the D.M.P. was an un-armed Force. Thus, prior to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 the country was policed by these two Forces. The Garda Síochána replaced the R.I.C. in February 1922, and in April 1925, the Dublin Metropolitan Police was amalgamated with the Garda Síochána.

Structure and organisation

The Headquarters of the Force is located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. At the head of the Force is the Commissioner, appointed by the Government and in whom is vested, subject to the regulations made by the Minister for Justice, "the general direction and control" of the Force, by Section 8 of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925. Under the Commissioner is a headquarters staff of two Deputy Commissioners, six Assistant Commissioners. One directs all administration activity and the other directs all operational matters.

Deputy Commissioner, Administration

The Deputy Commissioner, Administration, directs management and administrative activity with An Garda Siochána. Three Assistant Commissioners who head (Finance, Services and Community Relations); Human Resource Management and Research (Personnel, Training & Research) and the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) Implementation Team report directly to the Deputy Commissioner.

Deputy Commissioner, Operations

The Deputy Commissioner, Operation, reporting directly to the Commissioner, holds responsibility for all operational matters of An Garda Siochána. A total of seven Assistant Commissioners report to the Deputy Commissioner, Operations - each of the six Regional Assistant Commissioners and the Assistant Commissioner in charge of ‘C’ Branch (Crime, Security & Traffic).

The ranks descending order from Assistant Commissioner are:

• Chief Superintendent,
• Superintendent,
• Inspector,
• Sergeant,
• Garda.

Dublin metropolitan area

The Dublin Metropolitan Area comprises Dublin city and portions of adjoining counties. The Assistant Commissioner, based at Harcourt Square, is responsible for a total of six geographical divisions - Northern, North Central, Southern, South Central, Eastern and Western with a Chief Superintendent in charge of each division. The Assistant Commissioner also has responsibility for the Dublin Region Traffic Division and the Special Detective Unit. Each division is divided into districts with a Superintendent in charge of each. Dublin has within its confines the residence of the Presidents of Ireland; the House of the Oireachtas (Parliament); Embassies, residences of members of the Diplomatic Corps; sittings of superior courts, etc. It is also the centre of various national and international events, all of which heavy demands on police personnel.

Regional Profiles

Since January, 1996, a Regional Command structure has been in place within An Garda Siochána, with the jurisdiction divided into six separate regions, each headed by an Assistant Commissioner. This management structure allows for a more effective and efficient delivery of the police service across and within regions. A significant feature of regionalisation has been the establishment and development of ‘target specific’ policing operations, which operate within the defined target area often crossing district, divisional and regional boundaries. The structure allows for more efficient and effective usage of resources. It also assists in the establishment of dedicated units on a regional basis to tackle specific policing problems.

Training

Assistant Commissioner Human Resource Management and Research who is based at Garda Headquarters is responsible for the overall education/training and development within the Force. The Garda Siochána College is based at Templemore, Co. Tipperary, where there is a Director of Training & Quality Service of Chief Superintendent rank with responsibility for the delivery of all training and development interventions and the coordination and implementation of the ‘Garda Quality Service Action Plan’ for the members of the organisation.

The College, which provides for a continuum of education/training from student Garda stage, up to the development of officers at the highest level, is divided into five schools as follows:
1. Student/Probationer,
2. In-Service,
3. Specialist,
4. Promotion,
5. Management.

Student Probationer Education Training

On joining the Force the student/probationer undergoes a two-year comprehensive education/training programme. The programme is divided into five phases, three of which are conducted at the College and two phases at selected Garda stations. The aim of the course is to turn out Gardaí who are capable of competently fulfilling their police role and have a base for adapting to meet the changing demands of a modern society throughout their service. This is achieved by the integration of theory and practice during the various phases. The curriculum is broadly based to provide the student/probationer with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to perform his job efficiently and effectively.

The following are the core subjects of the curriculum:

• Legal Studies- Technical Studies
• Policing Studies- Physical Education
• Social Studies- Irish Studies
• Communication Studies

Continuing Education Training

Continuing education/training and development is provided at regular intervals as members progress within the Force. Members who are promoted to the rank of sergeant and inspector undergo an education/development course designed to equip them with necessary skills of supervision, leadership and communication. Members promoted to the rank of superintendent and chief superintendent, participate in a management education/development programme, designed to give them the knowledge and skills to manage the personnel and resources, allocated to their respective districts and divisions. In 1998 the N.C.E.A. (National Council for Education Awards) approved a Degree Programme in Police Management for members holding senior positions in the organisation. The programme is a two and a half-year module programme conducted through distance learning and in-house tutorials at the Garda College.

Promotion

Advancement to the highest rank in the Force (Commissioner) is open to all members. Up to the rank of inspector, candidates who hold the prescribed educational qualifications are selected for promotion on the basis of a written qualifying examination and an interview by a board of officers. Promotion to superintendent and chief superintendent is based on the recommendation of a board of officers not lower than the rank of assistant commissioner.

Retirement

> Members who have reached the age of fifty years and completed thirty years approved service are entitled to retire on pension. Pensions are also payable when retirements arise from ill-health and special pensions to member who must retire because of incapacity in consequence of injuries received on duty. Retirement pensions amounts to approximately half-pay and a gratuity is also paid. Provision for the widows and children of deceased members is also included in the pension scheme, to which all members of the force contribute throughout their service. Retirement ages for members now joining the Force are, in the case of chief superintendents and superintendents sixty years, and fifty-seven years in the case of lower ranks.