Madam, - The direct election of Dublin's Lord Mayor would be a major stride towards enabling citizens to have an effective voice. An even better move would be the election of the Garda Commissioner, making the office holder accountable to the people for the quality of policing.
In the present structure promotions to senior ranks require the approval of the Minister for Justice and office-holders are thereafter subject to the whim and will of political masters.
Ordinary gardaí readily attribute shortcomings to inadequate resources. But it is clear that the Commissioner and senior officers, when attempting to defend the abject failure to police Ireland's streets, are deprived of the same freedom to admit that obvious but politically unpalatable fact.
Until the stranglehold of politicians and faceless civil servants is removed, effective policing will remain unattainable. Direct accountability to the public, freedom from inappropriate budgetary restraints and modern management expertise are essential if the policing of this State is ever to permit its people to live without terror.
Within our political and administrative systems is a determination to resist change, to discourage innovation and originality and to ignore the useful experience of other states. Nowhere are these appalling traits more evident than in the management and control of An Garda Síochána. - Yours, etc.,
PETER COOGAN, Temple Manor, Celbridge, Co Kildare.