Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied with the operation of the local policing committees; the numbers of such committees established to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19597/10]

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 their area.

On 24 September, 2008, I launched, with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, guidelines for the Committees, which took into account the experience gained during a pilot phase and provided for the establishment of Committees in all 114 local authority areas by the relevant local authorities and the Garda Commissioner. I am informed that 105 Committees have been established.

The operation of the Committees is kept under ongoing review by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Each Committee is required to submit an annual report of its activities, and these reports inform the ongoing consideration of the operation of the Committees.