Fennelly report indicates ‘need for review’ of justice system

The report by Mr Justice Nial Fennelly indicates the need for a "root and branch review" of the justice system, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties has said.

The human rights watchdog said the Fennelly Commission identifies "serious information deficits and multiple failures of communication" within the Department of Justice and Equality.

Executive director Mark Kelly insisted little had changed within the department despite numerous controversies.

He said: “The Fennelly report reaffirms the need for root and branch reform of the management, delivery and oversight of Garda policy issues.

“That should include the publication of a clear plan to implement the 2014 recommendations of the Independent Toland Review of her Department, the appointment of a permanent secretary general and the amendment of the draft legislation creating the Policing Authority to remove the Government’s right to cherry pick its first members.

“Having steadied the ship now is the time for the Minister for Justice to clear the decks for genuine reform.”

Mr Kelly said it was now time also for a Secretary General at the Department of the Justice to be appointed.

He said this was a crucial step in implementing the findings of the Toland review.

He added: “Taoiseach Enda Kenny states that a ’programme for change and a new strategy statement for the Department have been finalised and are now being implemented’.

“However, nearly eighteen months after the events that precipitated the departure of the former Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality, he has yet to be replaced by a permanent appointee to lead the root and branch reform that is plainly required.”

United Left TD Clare Daly said the Taoiseach's version of the Fennelly report was a "fairytale".

She said the report showed the Garda Commissioner was told to step down by the Taoiseach and that was clear in the findings of the inquiry.

Ms Daly said the findings were extremely serious for the Taoiseach.

Sinn Féin is to seek to recall the Dáil to debate the findings of the Commission.