The Policing Authority (Irish: An tÚdarás Póilíneachta) is a statutory body in Ireland with certain powers of governance and oversight with regard to the police and security service of the country, the Garda Síochána.
[1] At a policy level, the authority is involved in setting long-term force priorities and approving three-year strategic plans, and annual policing plans.
[1] The authority publishes reports on the progress of the Garda organisation against its objectives.
[2] The potential of the authority to meet the objectives claimed for it have been questioned, with one academic paper stating "It seems more accurate to describe it as an elaborate national advisory body rather than a national police authority.
"[3] Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023, it is planned to restructure both the Policing Authority and the Garda Inspectorate, forming a board for the Garda force, and a Policing and Community Safety Authority, and supporting bodies including a National Community Safety Steering Group and a National Office for Community Safety, as well as an Independent Examiner of Security Legislation.