Mark Duffy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Lithuanian ambassador to the Chamber on his country's national day of celebration. It is good to see him.

I wish to highlight the local community safety partnerships, LCSPs, that are being established. I am a former member of the joint policing committee of Mayo County Council, which was always an excellent forum for airing views in a constructive way on behalf of one's community. It gave a voice to communities on antisocial behaviour and various issues that fall under the remit of An Garda Síochána. There was always a positive and constructive approach, with county councillors, gardaí and agency stakeholders attending.

The new local community safety partnerships have been established in Mayo and there is some discontent about the lack of media attendance at the meetings. The chairperson has clarified there is no media ban as such. It would be helpful if the Minister for justice could clarify exactly what role the media has in LCSPs. In an age of disinformation, the media has an important role to play. Local newspapers and radio stations have had a difficult few years but it is becoming even more important to have strong local media attending and reporting on all public meetings that are in the public interest. I ask that clarity be given such that we have a clear understanding of the role of media within the LCSPs. It is not right that they be excluded from the initial meetings or any meetings. They have an integral role in reporting county council meetings and strategic policy meetings.

In this age of disinformation and sometimes populism, people can run off with a story. It is local journalists who hold the truth and can bring it to bear for local communities, especially on sensitive issues to do with policing, where a lot of fearmongering can go on within communities. Journalists play a really important role in reporting on those matters. I would appreciate clarity on this from the Minister. I support the inclusion of media at all meetings of public interest.