Public hearings are to be held following Dublin City Council's decision last night to establishment a Commission on Policing and Crime, writes Conor Lally.
It will produce a report which will be submitted to the Department of Justice on the role of local authorities in relation to crime and policing in the new legislation published in the Garda Bill.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Michael Conaghan, said the commission would prove "invaluable". He said he would seek talks with the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, and would request the participation of senior gardaí on the commission. The commission will hold public hearings and report to the Lord Mayor in 10 weeks.