Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in relation to the joint policing committees in local authority areas, there will be duplication of the roles of these committees between the county committees and the committees covered by areas that were formerly town councils that operate within the local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the most practical way of ensuring that there is an effective policing committee in each area without unnecessary duplication. [41742/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Following a pilot programme, Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are currently being established in all local authorities. Revised guidelines in relation to the operation of the JPCs were recently issued by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, following consultation with myself and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The pilot phase was very useful in identifying issues that needed to be addressed, including the importance of good linkages between town and county JPCs. Accordingly, the revised guidelines specifically highlight the need for good co-operation between town and county JPCs within a county to ensure complementarity, to avoid any negative impact on Garda and local authority resources and to facilitate the overall effective operation of the committees. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform will continue to keep the operation of JPCs under review and make any necessary changes to the guidelines in the light of experience gained.