Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Justice 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. [35376/10]

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 which provided for the establishment of Committees in all 114 local authority areas by the relevant local authority and the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Garda authorities that 110 Committees have been established to date. I attach great importance to the work of the Committees and believe that they are playing a constructive role in providing a collaborative approach to preventing and tackling crime at the local level and facilitating appropriate and relevant responses to local issues.