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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
New policing model is ‘unmitigated disaster' breaking links between gardaí and communities, garda bodies warn
They also say that new regulations on conduct and performance will 'do little' to dispel fears among their members over an 'excessive use of discipline and suspension'. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) appeared before the Justice Committee this afternoon to discuss a range of issues including recruitment and retention, pursuit policy, and discipline within the force. A significant emphasis was placed on the new Garda operating policing model which has moved the organisation from a local district model to a larger divisional one. The GRA's General Secretary, Ronan Slevin, described it as an 'unmitigated disaster' which is 'not fit for purpose'. 'This has created super-sized divisions that span across many counties and has starved communities of local stations and local policing. In many ways, division is the key word here as that is exactly what this model has caused between our trusted, dedicated members and the public and communities that they serve,' Mr Slevin said. AGSI General Secretary, Ronan Clogher, told the committee that an overarching problem with the operating model is the issue of resources. He pointed to the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford division, saying it is a 'geographical area that is completely unpoliceable' and that it is 'impossible to manage a division of that size' which stretches from Blacksod on the west coast to Granard in Longford. He said that resources are being dragged away from smaller towns to provide cover for main towns that act as satellite hubs for the rest of the division. Mr Clogher added that this is 'breaking a link' between gardaí and the communities they police. 'People do not know their guards, the guards do not know their people'. He also said 'silos' were being created within the force between plain clothed and uniformed personnel and that, for a small police for like the Garda, 'that is a very risky thing to happen, particularly in the rural areas'. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, defended the operating model at the committee last week, saying the old model was unsustainable with changes introduce to 'enhance the service we provide to the public'. Mr Slevin today said that little action is being taken to address the issue of morale while there is ongoing concern about the suspension policy. He added that the excessive use of discipline and suspension has resulted in members being in fear of receiving any form of complaint as there is little trust in the discipline process. He also said that that the recently enacted Conduct, Performance and Standards of Professional Behaviour Regulations 'will do little to dispel this fear'. 'The now infamous bicycle case not only highlighted the excessive use of suspension, but highlights the lack of understanding of how community policing works by senior gardaí. The more recent case in Limerick where a member was cleared of all 22 charges after a near seven-year investigation while languishing on suspension further highlights the fears members face when the perform their duty and complaints and investigations are launched,' Mr Slevin said. There are currently around 90 gardaí suspended for a range of reasons including domestic violence, sexual assault, and drink driving. In relation to garda pursuits, Ronan Slevin said that a recent policy created an issue whereby gardaí can't engage unless they are pursuit trained, but added that there is no pursuit training within An Garda Síochána. 'It leaves our members in the control room and the drivers themselves to make a snap decision on whether you're going to allow a pursuit to continue. 'Your decision is made in a split second and analysed as slowly as possible if there's an error made, and that is causing some serious concern to our members.' He said that if gardaí do not have the power to pursue, then criminals will get away by simply exceeding the speed limit, knowing that the guards can't follow.' The GRA also said that some 17,000 gardaí are needed with the recruitment and retention crisis ongoing for the past five years.
The Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Garda group to say that little action has been taken to solve 'massive issue' of poor morale
A 'MASSIVE ISSUE' remains in An Garda Síochána with poor morale and little action has been taken to address the issue, a Garda union will tell politicians today. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) are due to appear before the Oireachtas Justice committee this afternoon. In their opening remarks, the GRA will launch criticise work by the Government to resolve the problems associated with a new policing management system, and claim that overbearing discipline has forced gardaí to be afraid to act. Ronan Slevin, the GRA General Secretary, will tell TDs and Senators that the issues have been long identified, but that no action has been taken to ease them. 'There remains a massive issue with morale within the ranks of An Garda Síochána, with little action being taken to address the issue. 'The continuous issuing of policies and procedures which members must comply with, and the excessive use of discipline and suspension has resulted in members being in fear of receiving any form of complaint as there is little trust in the discipline process. 'Sadly, the recently enacted Conduct, Performance and Standards of Professional Behaviour Regulations will do little to dispel that fear,' he will say. Suspensions Slevin will raise the issue of the suspension of a Garda for giving a bicycle to an elderly man, and that of another garda in Limerick who was suspended for seven years but who was recently been cleared of any wrongdoing. He will say that the bicycle case demonstrates how senior gardaí showed a 'lack of understanding of how community policing works'. Slevin will go on to say that staff retention and recruitment targets are being missed because of a failure to implement measures to stop the issue. 'It was once the situation that the best recruiter for a career in the AGS [An Garda Síochána], were the gardaí themselves. Sadly this is no longer the case. 'Exit interviews carried out by the GRA clearly show serious areas of concern among members who have decided to leave the organisation. Advertisement 'These issues in conjunction with the overall feelings of low morale led recently to a vote of no confidence in the Garda Commissioner. Sadly, little has changed since. Denial of low morale and associated issues continue,' he will say. In its opening remarks, the AGSI will outline failures to address retention and recruitment issues, community policing, road traffic deaths and the new divisional policing model. It will also comment on the problems of keeping gardaí and hiring new recruits. 'An Garda Síochána is now entrenched within a cycle of continuous failures to meet recruitment targets year-on-year. 'This failure has not been sufficiently recognised by Government or Garda management with the Government in recent years attributing this to covid, full employment and lifestyle choices,' the group's opening statement will say. The AGSI will say that there is a broad failure to recognise the actual 'fundamental root causes'. It will also highlight pay and pensions disparity, social media commentary, excessive oversight and bureaucracy, change fatigue, workload and work related stress. It will also cite industrial relations processes for the poor morale among senior gardaí. 'Radical' The AGSI statement will also say that a number of initiatives have been implemented, but that these are 'short remedies' and are not 'radical' enough to solve the problem. It will strongly criticise the Divisional and Operation Model that was introduced recently, stating that it has negatively impacted the Garda's relationship with the public. The model essentially redraws the garda command map across the country, and rather than specific units and areas being led by officers with sole operational command, it places them under an umbrella management system. AGSI will also claim that international police forces who adopted the model previously have scrapped it and moved back to the more traditional command structures. 'The model has been adapted from Similar policing models internationally, but a fundamental and fatal flaw is that the architects of the Irish version failed to take account of the unique policing and geographical requirements within the jurisdiction. 'The AGSI are now of the view that the current operating model has negatively affected interactive community policing in this country,' the AGSI opening statement adds. Commissioner Drew Harris appeared last week at the Justice Committee and defended the model, which was criticised by a number of TDs and senators. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Hans India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Committed to making India a global arbitration hub: Arjun Ram Meghwal
Invoking the country's ancient tradition of consensual dispute resolution, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the government is committed to making India a global arbitration hub. Addressing a National Conference on Institutional Arbitration, organised by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, in collaboration with ONGC and the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC) on Saturday, the Minister said efforts are being made to promote institutional arbitration as the preferred mode of commercial dispute resolution. He said the government is also trying to highlight the IIAC as a globally competitive arbitral institution. The day-long Conference brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice, representatives of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), legal experts and arbitration professionals. The Conference featured four technical sessions, each delving into key aspects of institutional arbitration. In addition to the participation of over 150 distinguished delegates, the Conference witnessed strong virtual engagement with over 1,600 views on social media. The first session, 'Strengthening Dispute Resolution in PSUs: The Role of Institutional Arbitration', addressed public sector-specific challenges and institutional arbitration's potential in transforming the dispute resolution landscape, particularly concerning infrastructure and public sector contracts. Speakers highlighted the need for capacity-building and called for structured, institutional processes over fragmented ad hoc mechanisms, with support from bodies like IIAC. The second session took a close look at the IIAC (Conduct of Arbitration) Regulations, 2023, breaking down key provisions and their practical relevance. A short film was also screened, showcasing IIAC's state-of-the-art infrastructure and signalling India's readiness to handle complex, high-stakes arbitrations. The third session, 'Best Practices During Arbitral Process — A Discourse', focused on procedural and institutional best practices to enhance the effectiveness of arbitration. Speakers advocated structured case management, suggesting that their regularisation under institutional rules would enhance clarity, expedite timelines, and minimise ambiguities in the arbitral process. The fourth session focused on learnings from international jurisdictions and the way ahead for the arbitration ecosystem in India. The discussion included global practices, emergency arbitration and access to legal research tools to make arbitration more accessible. The inaugural session opened with a welcome address by Justice Hemant Gupta (Retd.), Chairperson, IIAC, who discussed key challenges hindering the growth of institutional arbitration in India, particularly the continued reliance on ad hoc mechanisms. He emphasised the transition from the erstwhile International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR) to IIAC as a significant move by the Government and stressed the need for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to adopt structured institutional frameworks.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Explained: Why Rajat Patidar faced a heavier fine than Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins and Rajat Patidar (IPL Photo) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Rajat Patidar and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins have been fined for their respective teams' slow over-rate offences during their recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match. In an official statement, the IPL confirmed that Patidar was fined Rs 24 lakh as it was RCB's second over-rate offence of the season. Under the IPL's Code of Conduct, repeat infractions carry steeper penalties. As part of the punishment, the rest of RCB's playing XI — including the Impact Player — were each fined either Rs 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee, whichever is lesser. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Cummins, on the other hand, was fined Rs 12 lakh since it was SRH's first such offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with minimum over-rate violations. Who's that IPL player? The match saw RCB lose to SRH by 42 runs, denting their momentum ahead of the playoffs, although their qualification had already been secured. SRH posted a commanding total of 231/6, before their bowlers restricted RCB to 189 all out. 'Better now than in playoffs': Phil Salt reflects on RCB's first away loss in IPL 2025 Over-rate penalties have been a point of emphasis in the ongoing IPL season as the league attempts to curb delays and maintain the pace of play. Captains are held primarily accountable for over-rate offences, with escalating fines for repeat violations. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
1News
21-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Man who heckled Winston Peters investigated by employer
A man who heckled Winston Peters in Wellington yesterday morning is being investigated by his employer, Tonkin + Taylor. Minister for Rail Winston Peters was speaking to reporters about new rail funding while at Wellington Railway Station, alongside Minister of Transport Chris Bishop, when he was interrupted. The heckler, who appeared to be wearing a lanyard with work identification, could be heard saying, "a load of bollocks, Winston". The Deputy Prime Minister was heckled as he made an announcement at the Wellington Railway Station. (Source: 1News) In a statement, a spokesperson from engineering consultancy company Tonkin + Taylor confirmed it was "aware of an incident at a media event at Wellington Railway Station" yesterday morning. "We have confirmed the person involved is a Tonkin + Taylor employee. We are investigating in line with our Code of Conduct and for privacy reasons we won't be commenting any further," they said. The company said it did not "condone behaviour that falls short of our Code of Conduct". "We sincerely apologise to the event organisers, attendees, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister Bishop, for the disruption caused." Speaking to Newstalk ZB this morning, Peters said it was an "appalling circumstance". He said Tonkin + Taylor had called to apologise and, as it was an employment matter, he didn't want to comment further. Asked if he would feel bad if the man lost his job, Peters said: "No I wouldn't, frankly." The New Zealand First leader was announcing new funding to upgrade rail reliability as part of the Government's upcoming Budget. Peters made the announcement as Rail Minister ahead of Budget 2025 on Thursday. 'We want railways to succeed for this country – rail freight backs our business, and business backs our cities and provinces," he said.
