Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for a comprehensive six-page response to a three-line Commencement matter. She has clarified a lot of it for me. She has clearly said and reminded us – and it did not dawn on me until I was sitting here – that Dáil Éireann has passed this legislation, maybe subject to changes. I am anxious this legislation comes to the Seanad. The majority in the Seanad is replicated by the political affiliations in Dáil Éireann. I presume it follows that there will be support for it. More important are the Minister's words that “local councillors will remain a very important part of the make-up of these new fora”. I welcome that and I think councillors from all groups and none will welcome it. The Minister says the Bill before the Seanad does not specify the composition of the partnerships but that she will outline that in secondary legislation.

I thank the Minister for her detailed response and for reassuring me and city and county councillors around the country that there is a role and function for them in a policing partnership. That is important. The Minister has recognised that and they will value that very much. It would also be helpful to continue to have engagement with the Local Authority Members Association, LAMA, and the AILG because the more people understand what the vision is and the plans are, the more supportive they will be of them.