John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

There is no disagreement about the need for accountability. Members on all sides of the House agree with that principle. The difference arises as to the way that should be exercised. The Bill goes a long way to doing what the amendment proposes.

Senator Tuffy also made the point about democratic accountability. The ultimate place for democratic accountability is within the Parliament. The Minister is responsible to the Parliament and, therefore, there is a direct line of accountability which is a stronger accountability than ever would be the case if a body of this nature was established, which in some ways would be another independent quango operating in isolation.

Section 21 states that the Garda Commissioner may have regard to the most recent report of each joint policing committee. The policing committees, therefore, which will have local democratic input, must be taken into account in terms of the Garda Commissioner preparing the report. Section 21 also states that the Minister shall cause a copy of the policing plan to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and section 22 states that following the approval of the Government, the Minister may issue to the Garda Commissioner written directives concerning any matter relating to the Garda Síochána. That is the appropriate place where the exercise of the function should be applied rather than through the type of body Senator Tuffy recommends. The Bill goes quite some way to providing a type of non-governmental control or input into policing, which has been absent until now. From that point of view, the amendment is unnecessary.