Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak in support of amendments Nos. 68 to 84, inclusive, from Senator Boyhan in this grouping.I sincerely thank Senator Boyhan for bringing forward these amendments. It is vital that the participation of councillors on local policing boards is protected in the Bill. I understand the desire of the Government to broaden the scope of who is involved in these bodies, and I support that. However, we need to centre the individuals who have a democratic mandate to represent and serve the communities which are being policed.

The Bill is designed to strengthen the principles of community policing and policing by consent. That is very welcome. These principles will be undermined if the role of councillors is usurped. I understand the councillors' representative bodies, in particular the AILG and LAMA, have been very vocal about this. They have my total support.

I have enjoyed sitting on the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, which is currently examining the future of local democracy in Ireland. I am learning a lot from the dedication and passion of councillors who work hard to represent their communities in incredibly challenging and frustrating circumstances. In a submission to the committee, LAMA, which is the councillors' representative body, notes that there is a certain irony in an Oireachtas committee discussing strengthening local democracy when successive Governments continue to weaken local authorities and councillors by stripping them of their duties and powers. That is very worrying.

The Bill is a prime example of this. It came up during the Higher Education Authority Bill debates. Senators, especially those representing the parties of Government, must reflect on the hypocrisy of this position and stand for councillors who we are supposed to represent in this House. I hope the Minister will listen to councillors and their representative bodies and accept Senator Boyhan's amendments.