One of trhe first major tasks that the new Taoiseach must undertake to begin to restore public confidence and credibility in the Gardai is to replace the Garda Commissioner Noreen O’Sullivan.
The drip feed of controversies surrounding the Gardai in the recent past leaves the Commissioner in an untenable position and Leo Varadkar should seek a replacement as soon as possible after his election this week. Public confidence in the Gardai and Garda management needs to be restored and it is my opinion that a new Commissioner should be employed from outside the force and given a two to three year period to change the culture at the top in the organisation which is clearly required. There are some fantastic people in the Gardai who do a superb job and for their sake as well as that of the public, it is now time to make a clean break at the top and a total change of management outlook is what is required now.
I will be watching with interest to see what the new Taoiseach does with regard to the Garda Commissioner and the appointment of a Minister for Justice this week. It is vitally important that there is strong and credible leadership in the Gardai and the Leo Varadkar needs to tackle this issue as a matter of urgency.
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