Councillors to have a say in policing

CITY and county councillors will have a say on policing of their areas under the Government’s reforms of An Garda Síochána.

Local politicians could be line for another expenses windfall as there will be at least one policing board set up in every city and county council area in the country.

Under the biggest overhaul of the force in 78 years, the Garda Commissioner will be answerable to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee on the force’s expenditure. Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said the local policing committees will also mean that gardaí have an input into local authority work which affects policing including planning, public order and estate management.