Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I am merely raising the concerns and suggestions of the Human Rights Commission, which the Minister should consider.

I welcome the proposals for joint policing committees. As a former local authority member, I welcome this move. Much work of this kind is already being done on an informal basis. Community gardaí often liaise with local residents' associations and public representatives. Gardaí liaise with local authorities on traffic matters and on issues relating to anti-social behaviour and estate management. These activities needs to be put on a more structured and accountable basis so that the public can see the operation of community policing and have a sense of ownership which would bring about greater public confidence in our policing system.

The Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland has pointed out that the definition of local authorities in the Bill excludes town councils from membership of the joint policing committees. The AMAI points out that town councils are included in the definition in the Local Government Bill.