Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012
60. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of joint policing committees; his view on broadening their remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55484/12]
View answerThe functions and powers of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a Committee in each local authority area. The Act provides that JPCs operate under guidelines issued by the Minister for Justice and Equality after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The current guidelines were issued in September, 2008.
The Programme for Government makes a commitment to build on existing community policing partnerships and forums to enhance trust between local communities and their Gardaí. In the spirit of that commitment I initiated a review of the operation of the Joint Policing Committees. My Department, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and An Garda Síochána commenced work on the review during 2011 and canvassed opinions from existing JPC members, which helped to inform the preparation of a discussion document. I published this discussion document on 29 November this year to open the matter for wider consultation. The present consultation process is open until the end of January 2013 and I am seeking views from the Garda authorities, local authorities, Oireachtas members, community organisations as well of course from the general public. I have made a specific request that each JPC would consider the document at one of its meetings and notify my Department of the outcome of its discussions.
I look forward to the outcome of this consultation process and in that context I certainly welcome the Deputy's views on the role and functioning of the JPCs. It is important to bear in mind, however, in considering any changes to the remit of the JPCs, that they are intended as a forum for engagement to promote more effective action by the various stakeholders and not an additional administrative structure. Their essential role is to provide appropriate advice to the Gardaí and local authorities and to support collaborative engagement among stakeholders in relation to local policing issues. The Deputy will also appreciate that the review process will need to take into account the broader developments with respect to local government reform which are underway and the implications of this reform for the operation of JPCs.
