Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has plans to amend the legislation establishing the joint policing committees; the locations at which joint policing committees are operating; if he is satisfied with the performance of these policing committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46167/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Joint Policing Committees are provided for in the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Their purpose is to provide a forum where An Garda Síochána and the local authority - the two organisations which make the most significant contribution to preventing and tackling crime in a specific area - can come together, with the participation of members of the Oireachtas and community and voluntary interests, on matters affecting the area.

During 2006 and 2007, Committees were established in 29 local authority areas in a pilot phase, prior to extending them to all 114 county, city and town council areas. The guidelines under which these operated were amended in the light of the experience gained in their operation. On 24 September, 2008 I launched, with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the amended guidelines providing for the establishment of Committees in all 114 local authority areas by the relevant local authorities and the Garda Commissioner. I have no plans to amend the terms under which Committees operate at the present time. It should be noted that each Committee is required to submit an annual report of its activities and this will support the ongoing consideration of the operation of Joint Policing Committees by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Committees have been established in 96 local authority areas, representing 84% of the total. The process of establishing a Committee can take some time since it is necessary to select Committee members from the elected local authority members, Oireachtas members who have expressed an interest in becoming members and the community and voluntary sector in accordance with the procedures set out in the guidelines and local arrangements. Furthermore, Committees already established had to be reconstituted following the local elections last June.

The Garda Commissioner and I attach importance to the Committees and the constructive role they are playing in preventing and tackling crime in partnership.