The Consultation Seminar on Justice Reform at Farmleigh followed on from the public consultation process undertaken by the Government in May in relation to the establishment of an Independent Policing Authority. In that context many of the participants comprised persons or representatives of organisations from whom submissions were received during the consultation process.
In the course of making preparations for the seminar consideration was given to inviting representatives from local authorities but, given the limited space available, it was not practicable to do this. At best it would only have been possible to accommodate a very restricted number of representatives and many local authorities would have been involved.
I very much appreciate the contribution made by local authority members in the field of policing throughout the country. In particular I am fully aware of the positive response that the Joint Policing Committees engender in local communities and the very important and valuable work of elected local representatives on these Committees. A review of the operation of the Committees is currently under way in line with the Programme for Government.
While I understand the concerns the Deputy has indicated in his Question I can assure him that I will be happy to consider any submission he or any other member of a local authority may make to me in relation to the matters dealt with at the seminar or any related issues.
