Local government task force report
The Leader said he had contacted the Minister's office to ensure publication of the local government task force report and said the House should debate it when available.
I am sure the Senator is talking about himself, not me. The facility is wonderful. It would be great for the Senators to go and see what has been done out in Sandyford.
Senator Victor Boyhan spoke about the Fianna Fáil Private Members' motion. The local government task force has been brought up a number of times by Senators Davitt and Boyhan. I have contacted the Minister's office to make sure that the task force's final report is published. When it is, it is important that the House has a debate on it. We speak to councillors quite regularly and they are concerned. They want it published and they want to know what is going to be in it so we will make sure that is done.
Senator Eileen Lynch raised the issue of rural crime, which is a real challenge and which has increased in recent years. She is probably right that it is not just a justice issue and the Department of rural affairs can play a role in terms of working with local communities. We obviously need more gardaí, particularly in rural areas, but we cannot just rely on that. The communities that need support need to play their part as well. They want to do so, and that is what we will do. I will ask for a debate with the Minister for justice on that. We will see if it will be possible to have such a debate.