Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 45:

In page 23, subsection (2), lines 22 to 29, to delete paragraphs (a) and (b), and substitute the following paragraphs:

"(a) the establishment of the committee on a county or city council area basis, comprised of members from the relevant local authorities, members of the Oireachtas, and senior ranking members of the Garda Síochána,

(b) the designation of the number of members to be appointed from each local authority within the city or county area,

(c) allowing the appropriate local authorities to nominate members to the committee,

(d) the appointment of the chairperson of the committee to be a member of a local authority,

(e) the term of the committee to coincide with the local authority term,

(f) the establishment of sub-committees for geographic or policing reasons,

(g) the engagement or co-option of additional persons onto a committee if specialist expertise is required,".

I inadvertently referred to this amendment when speaking on earlier ones. The purpose of the amendment is to replace section 31(2), paragraphs (a) and (b), with a more expanded and comprehensive series of paragraphs. We are trying to achieve greater clarity on the establishment of the policing committees. This proposal is not set in stone and if there are better suggestions, we are willing to go along with them. The amendment reflects the intent of the legislation.