Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo everything Senator Boyhan said. The representatives from the AILG and LAMA have been very firm about having their representation on these new policing committees. Before Christmas, the Independent Group Members - Senators Boyhan, Craughwell and I - tabled a motion. Part of that motion was that we undo the attacks on the powers of local councillors and ensure the members of local authorities will have equivalent powers and representations on the new safety partnerships, as they currently have on the joint policing committees.

All the Senators agreed with that motion and it passed unanimously in this House. I do not have to tell the Minister the role of the local council when it comes to community policing. She knows that. She knows the value each and every one of the councillors brings to local policing within their communities. Having them sit at the table when it comes to policing and community matters, particularly in policing matters, is really important. To leave them out would be detrimental to serving justice in our country and in particular to local policing. I absolutely support this amendment.

I will table amendments later on where it clearly states that I would like that each chair of a local administration would have to be from the local municipal area. We will not get to those amendments later on but that is really important because these are the people who know what is happening in their communities when it comes to criminality, policing matters and antisocial behaviour. There is no one closer to what is happening on the ground than local representatives. They are the ones who will drive change as well whether it be CCTV or community alerts in their areas. The Minister will have seen that. She recently attended a community alert meeting in Skreen that was instigated by one of her local councillors there. We know what is happening in our areas and we are on top of what is happening in communities. It is community representatives and it is the county councillors throughout the country so I implore the Minister and the Government Members to make sure county councillors are included going forward in these new policing administrations. I will leave it with the Minister. It is in her hands and only she can make it happen.