Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Recently, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, launched the MPCs, the municipal policing committees. Today I received a welcome letter from Longford County Council which asked me on which of the three policing committees — Granard Town Council, Longford Town Council or Longford County Council — I wished to serve. Initially, it was not proposed to include town councils but following representations from me and the AMAI, Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, to the then Minister, Deputy Willie O'Dea, this point was conceded. I exhort every Member of the House, the Lower House and every elected member of a local authority who will be entitled to serve on those committees to participate. As everybody is aware, most of the crime is committed in towns and cities, and this is an ideal opportunity for Members to play a role in dealing with this by serving on those committees.