John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the establishment of joint local policing committees will require boundary changes to Garda operational divisions; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27283/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee by a local authority and the Garda Commissioner to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority's administrative area. The Garda Commissioner will nominate members of the Garda Síochána of appropriate rank and seniority to the committee.

While the establishment of the committees will not of itself require boundary changes to Garda divisions and districts, there are practical arguments, both in relation to the committees and more generally, in favour of the greatest possible alignment of Garda and local government boundaries. This issue is being examined in the context of the national spatial strategy, the strategic management initiative programme of Garda modernisation and implementation of the Garda Síochána Act.