Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his assessment of the performance of the local police committees; when it is intended to have such committees established countrywide; if changes to the legislation setting up the committees is contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/08]

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made with regard to drawing up guidelines for the operation of the proposed roll out of the Joint Policing Boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 126 together.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area. The purpose of these committees is to provide a forum where members of a local authority and senior Garda officers, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area. There are currently 29 Committees in operation in a pilot phase to gain experience rolling the Committees out to all local authority areas in the State. In general the outcome to date has been positive and the Committees are meeting definite local needs.

Following on from a consultation seminar last November hosted by me and my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, work is underway on revising the guidelines under which the Committees operate, in the light of the experience gained to date. Following consultation with my Ministerial colleagues, I intend to issue these revised guidelines to enable the roll out of the Committees to take place as soon as possible, which I envisage will be in the middle of this year.