Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

To conclude on a positive note I believe the joint policing committees are the most positive measures in this Bill. These will build confidence in the Garda Síochána and I hope they are widespread. It is the one measure in the Bill that the Minister will be able to claim credit for and he will be remembered for it.

I agree with the point made by Senator Jim Walsh that the composition of these boards should be as democratic as possible. I would have preferred that it had been done in that way. When the Minister is drawing up his regulations he should consider the situation in the North where these positions were advertised. One does not want the situation that exists with SPCs where one is not reaching out to a mass of people in seeking candidates. It is often a group of ten people in a room who may or may not be representative. In the North the positions are advertised and anyone can apply. The Minister should consider this when drawing up regulations.

I thank the Minister and his staff. The Members of this House teased out this Bill and made a positive input. The Minister responded well to our points and the Bill has been improved by the input of the Seanad, as the Minister has stated.