Sir, - We read with interest the key proposals of the private member's motion put forward by the Labour Party's justice spokesperson, Mr Brendan Howlin, regarding reform of the Garda Siochana (The Irish Times, April 11th). They appeared to us to be based on sound analysis, in line with progressive thinking in modern states, and fully in accord with what many community-based organisations have been articulating as necessary to realise an improvement in the policing service.
We were shocked, accordingly, to see these proposals curtly dismissed by the Minister for Justice, Mr John O'Donoghue, as "political posturing masquerading as policy-making". Where, then, we would ask, are his genuine proposals to modernise the policing structures and increase democratic accountability and transparency? Or is it the case that what was suitable for Ireland in the 1920s remains adequate as we forge ahead into the 21st century? - Yours, etc.,
Andre Lyder, Coalition of Communities Against Drugs, Cork Street, Dublin 8.
