No easy fix for the heavily loaded layers of policing structure

It sounds impressive to appoint an international expert to examine how we do things here — particularly when we continue to be hit with policing and justice controversies and scandals.

But is tasking another set of eyes — ones that may have to start from scratch in terms of their knowledge of Irish policing — the best way to change the system?

The policing structure is already heavily loaded with layers — of governance, of supervision, of inspection, of investigation — and is already buckling under a landfill of reports and documents and enough recommendations to wallpaper the Oireachtas inside and out.