Mayo councillors fighting proposed changes to policing model

Mayo councillors are railing against plans to replace Joint Policing Committees with a new model.

The Department of Justice plans to replace the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) structure with Local Community Safety Partnerships. Pilots of the new model have already been rolled out in some local authorities.

The partnerships will replace Joint Policing Committees, which bring together the Gardaí, local authorities and councillors as well as the community and voluntary sectors.

The Department contends that the Community Safety Partnerships will have a broader membership including residents and community representatives.

JPCs have been chaired by councillors, and there are concerns that under the new structure, the role of local politicians could be marginalised.

Mayo councillors are determined to see the old arrangement stay in place and plan to lobby Government TDs on the issue.

Cllr Damien Ryan told a meeting of Mayo County Council that the proposed changes are a "retrograde step for counties like Mayo". He said a series of amendments to the Local Community Partnership plans has been drafted by a group of Senator, adding that if those changes are implemented it will satisfy local councillors. Cllr Ryan asked the Government to "hold fire" on the plan until those alterations are included.

“The JPC is one of the most efficient bodies to have served the county and has served it well,” he added.

Cllr Michael Burke said the replacement of the JPC would be "a tragic loss for us", while Cllr Michael Kilcoyne expressed concern that the new partnerships will see Mayo combined with Roscommon and Longford. Cllr Christy Hyland condemned the changes as "another attack on democracy".

“It’s trying to silence councillors,” he added.

Cllr Mark Duffy said the move will remove more power from communities and "dilute the democratic voice".

“This must be reversed,” the Ballina councillor stated.

The Cathaoirleach of the council, Cllr Michael Loftus, recently addressed the Seanad on the issue declaring that it will create "serious problems". He hit out at Government TDs who he said have failed to appraise the proposed changes properly.

Cllr Loftus said he was "very disappointed with our Oireachtas members who have passed the policing, security and community bill without even looking at it".