John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 339: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Question No. 661 of 14 June 2005, if he will address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I outlined to the Deputy on 14 June 2005, the function of the joint policing committees, as set out in the Garda Síochána Bill, is to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority's administrative area. In particular, the committees will keep under review levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour and the factors underlying them, advise the local authority concerned and the Commissioner, hold public meetings and establish as necessary local policing fora. The Bill also provides for the issuing of guidelines concerning the establishment and maintenance of the committees. These guidelines may include provision for the appointment to the committees of persons representing local community interests.

Work has commenced on the drafting of guidelines with a view to enabling early implementation of these provisions of the Bill, when enacted, to proceed. As already stated, as part of the work on drafting the guidelines for the joint policing committees, careful consideration is being given to the role that can be played by community and voluntary organisations such as community alert.