Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

We submitted amendment No. 8 to have a proper definition of how the policing committees would operate. The Minister's amendment No. 9 addresses much of what we had proposed on Committee Stage and clarifies the matter even further. I commend the Minister for agreeing to do this. It was necessary to put meat on the bones of what was originally contained, which has been accomplished by the Minister's amendment.

I am glad the Minister has agreed to our proposal on public meetings and matters concerning police committees in a local authority administrative area, which is important. Rather than having, as we discussed, political parties arranging meetings with gardaí present, that will now be a function of the policing committee, which is important for local authorities and communities. I also welcome the other Government amendments in this grouping and I thank the Minister for agreeing to some of the amendments we proposed on Committee Stage.