Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. A strategic plan is probably one of the most important documents in all organisations. Much of the time, organisations do not spend enough time considering a strategic plan. I note that a board will be put in place and the establishment of the board has already been discussed in the Seanad. I add that it is important that people from a wide variety of backgrounds and different levels of An Garda Síochána are on the board. People involved in the community should also be on the board, especially when it comes to policing in our city. That is what I have most knowledge of. I am based on the southside of this city. The Minister will be aware that there are different policing plans for different areas, for different times of year. There might be a policing plan for Hallowe'en, for what has to be done in that part of the year. However, ultimately it is important that there is a wide variety of input from different people.

The community policing part of the strategic plan needs to be at the forefront. In my area, at the weekend, the Kilmainham A district had an event as part of a programme that is a community initiative run by An Garda Síochána in that district. They have a holiday programme for the elderly people living in the community. It is important. A lot of discussion takes place-----