Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Community acceptance is important to functioning effectively. Perhaps the Garda community liaison officer system, which does much valuable work, could be a mechanism for targeting and encouraging young people in such areas to become involved. While I am unsure that this should become part of the Bill, it is desirable as a modus operandi.

The second point I wish to make may be a little irrelevant to the Bill, but it is a factor in getting community support. In the past, gardaí tended to live in the local villages and towns, be it Ballycullane, Duncannon, Campile, New Ross or whatever. Now, however, gardaí commute from Waterford to work in New Ross. They are not known and do not know the people. There is a price to be paid for this with regard to effective policing. There may be industrial relations difficulties with regard to this, but to function well, a garda should live in the area for which he has responsibility. Even if he is only out for a pint at night, he will garner information which may assist him. Living miles away is like a politician who hopes to be elected for a constituency living ten, 15 or 25 miles away from it. Such a politician would not be as effective nor would his or her seat be as safe. This area should be examined. Such matters, which may be peripheral to the Bill, are important for getting community support and effective policing, which is what the Bill is about.