1. There are far to many members on the committees. The bigger the committee the less it does. A maximum number should be set with each body nominating its representatives to that committee.
2. The inclusion of Oireachtas members is unnecessary. Local Policing is a matter for local government not national politicians. There is no justification for TDs/Senators, tasked with national affairs from serving on a local committee like this. They do not serve on any other similar body.
3. The value of many of the community/voluntary members is minimal and should be targeted at the organisations which are relevant.
4. There is a danger that they are nothing more than talking shops whereby show-boating for the press takes precedent over action.
5. Because they are public meetings the discussions are too limited. While policing policy should be debated in public, individual cases and items cannot be.
6. Without specific bugeting powers there's little that can be done differently anyway. Any changes are often an issue of "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" when it comes to resources.
7. Policing should be devolved to local councils are regions as it is in the UK. This would allow greater freedom for innovation, imaginative budgeting and reaction to different types of crime due to rural-urban divide. What works in the Phoenix Park does not work in the villages of Mayo.
Keith Martin
Councillor
Westport Town Council
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