Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the sacrifices made at the weekend by Garda Brian Kelleher from Bruree and Michael Liston, a part-time fire fighter, from Foynes who died in the course of their duties. We should recognise their unselfish approach to their work, the carrying out of which resulted in their untimely deaths. We all owe them a debt of gratitude and well as all members of the part-time fire fighting service and the Garda Síochána for their unselfish work on behalf of the State.

Will the Leader of the House arrange for a debate on the success of the pilot schemes of the joint policing committees established by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, in mid-2006? They were rolled out in 22 areas. The joint policing committees proved successful with the participation in them of local authorities members and Oireachtas Members. It was agreed that such committees would be further rolled out in 2006. Based on the success of the pilot schemes, particularly given the need for co-operation between the public and the Garda Síochána, joint policing committees should be rolled out throughout the country well before the Government is dissolved. It is important to ensure local policing committees operate in every local authority area and every major urban district to enable local authority members and Oireachtas Members to work with senior members of the Garda Síochána in the interests of the security of the State, policing and community involvement.

I hope that the Leader will invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to report to the House on the progress made by the policing committees that have been established.