Garda Síochána Act 2005

Guidelines concerning joint policing committees.

35.— (1) As soon as practicable after the passing of this Act and after consulting with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Minister shall issue to local authorities and the Garda Commissioner guidelines concerning the establishment and maintenance of joint policing committees by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner.

(2) Guidelines issued under this section concerning a joint policing committee may include provision for—

(a) the establishment of the committee,

(b) the membership of the committee, including the appointment to it of—

(i) members of the local authority concerned nominated by it for such appointment,

(ii) members of the Garda Síochána nominated by the Garda Commissioner in accordance with subsection (3),

(iii) members of the Oireachtas,

(iv) persons nominated by other public authorities, and

(v) such other persons (including persons representing local community interests) as may be provided for in the guidelines,

(c) the appointment as chairperson of the committee of a member of the local authority concerned who has been nominated in accordance with paragraph (b)(i),

(d) the term of office of the chairperson and other members of the committee,

(e) matters arising in connection with the attendance at committee meetings of members who are also members of the Oireachtas,

(f) the circumstances in which committee meetings may be held otherwise than in public,

(g) the establishment, membership, terms of reference and procedures of subcommittees,

(h) the preparation of reports by the committee, their ratification by the local authority concerned and their distribution,

(i) the co-operation of the committee with other joint policing committees,

(j) the joint action of the committee and other joint policing committees,

(k) the funding of the committee and any subcommittees, and

(l) such other matters as the Minister considers appropriate, including consultation with such other public authorities, bodies or persons as may be required.

(3) In nominating members of the Garda Síochána for appointment to a joint policing committee, the Garda Commissioner shall have regard to the need to ensure that such members are of appropriate rank and seniority.

(4) The Minister may, after consulting with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs—

(a) revise any guidelines issued under this section, or

(b) withdraw those guidelines and issue new guidelines.

(5) The Minister shall cause a copy of guidelines issued under this section and of any revisions to them to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable after the guidelines are issued or revised.