Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Given that my initial point has been clarified, my understanding of this amendment is that it would remove the need for the authority to consult the Garda Commissioner and the national office. Section 61(2) requires the authority to consult the Garda Commissioner, the national office and such other persons as the authority considers appropriate. I am not sure why we would remove the need to consult the Garda Commissioner. It is an absolute must and goes to the very heart of what we are discussing. It is an essential requirement in determining any of the policing priorities to have the Garda Commissioner playing a key role. The Bill allows the authority to consider any other persons it considers appropriate.

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