Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I support the amendment. Senator Jim Walsh made a very strong case to the Minister on the subject of local authority representation on the policing boards. It is very important that local authority members are involved as opposed to representatives of subsidiary local authority organisations. Local authority organisations include county development, enterprise and other boards, but the policing committee in an area should be composed of councillors nominated by the council itself. As the representatives elected by the people, local authority members are aware of circumstances in the local area.

While provision is made for the attendance of local superintendents at policing committee meetings, representatives of the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Sergeants and Inspectors should also have an input or, at least the right to attend in areas in which those bodies are active. It would allow them to know what was happening and to respond quickly to events.

The provision in section 30 for local involvement in regional Garda administration is innovative. Elected councillors are very well aware of the issues and concerns of local communities. I thank the Minister for refining through amendment No. 37 the Bill's provisions in this regard. I emphasise that nominees should be chosen from among local authority members and representation should be proportional to the strength of the various groups on a council rather than political basis. No party should have a monopoly. If necessary, the full council should sit on a committee given the importance of this matter. Most meetings will probably be held in camera as issues will be raised which should not necessarily be in the public domain. I welcome the involvement of local authority members in the policing boards.