Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I thank the Minister for tabling amendment No. 6, which takes on board the points made by Members on different sides of the House on Committee Stage regarding the need to include the word "shall" in respect of the publication of guidelines. This is one of the initiatives for which the Minister will be remembered. It is positive in nature and will enhance local democracy. The Labour Party had proposed a similar idea but this is very much the Minister's initiative and I congratulate him on introducing it and ensuring that it will definitely come to fruition during his term of office.

As regards amendments Nos. 8 and 9, I thank Fine Gael which took on board some of the points I made on Committee Stage in respect of rephrasing its earlier amendment. I had been concerned that the previous wording might have excluded town councils from establishing joint policing committees. If such councils had been obliged to depend on sub-committees, a committee would have had to have been in existence in the first instance. These points were taken on board by Fine Gael and the Minister and I am very satisfied with both amendments. Clearly, however, it will be the Government's amendment, which is well phrased, that will be passed.

On the issue of privilege, I agree that, if possible, meetings should be held in public. That was the idea behind the original Fine Gael proposal. If we are to have democracy, it must be seen to work. I am aware that difficulties might arise and I understand why there is a need to grant privilege. Am I correct in stating that the privilege being introduced will be similar to that which already applies in respect of county councils and will not be as all-encompassing as that which obtains in the Houses of the Oireachtas? The term "without malice" is used in amendment No. 15 and those attending meetings will have to be careful in terms of what they say because people have a right to their good reputations. In light of the issues that might be discussed at such meetings, there will be a fine line to tread in terms of whether someone's reputation might be tarnished in any way. Due procedures will have to be observed.

I accept that some meetings may have to be held in private. That is the nature of things. However, I welcome the amendments tabled by the Minister, particularly in terms of the fact that they take on board the need to hold as many meetings as possible in public.