Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I support most but not all of Senator Jim Walsh's comments. The committees should be firmly rooted in local government and people should be appointed by local authorities, from which the chairman should also come. It is important that the Garda representative is of a senior level in that area to demonstrate that the force is taking the issue seriously.

On the inclusion of other people as members on the committees, I go further than Senator Jim Walsh. The liaison committees which were established in the North comprised a majority of local authority members, but they were carefully designed to bring on board other people too. Part of the reason for this was to provide a sounding board for feedback to the police to enable them to explain their policies to people upon whom they impacted most; those who consume more police services than others, particularly young people and marginalised groups. One could have a ready-up of local authority members who have a particular view of how Travellers, for example, were to be dealt with. There should be room, as provided for through co-options, for bringing other people on board, such as people in voluntary organisations, for example, a representative of the National Youth Council. It might be wise not to specify or list these groups in the legislation but there should be room for it. More work needs to be done in the area but it is important anchor all of this in local government.

By and large, the meetings of these committees should be open and public. The idea that gardaí will provide confidence for a group councillors and so on is a figment of people's imaginations. Nothing will restore confidence in the operation of these services more than the fact that they are seen to be done in public and that people are seen to explain themselves and listen to representations from other people in public.