36.— (1) A local authority and the Garda Commissioner shall arrange for the establishment of a joint policing committee in accordance with guidelines issued under section 35.

(2) The joint policing committee’s function is to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority’s administrative area, and in particular to—

(a) keep under review—

(i) the levels and patterns of crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in that area (including the patterns and levels of misuse of alcohol and drugs), and

(ii) the factors underlying and contributing to the levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the area,

(b) advise the local authority concerned and the Garda Síochána on how they might best perform their functions having regard to the need to do everything feasible to improve the safety and quality of life and to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour within the area,

(c) arrange and host public meetings concerning matters affecting the policing of the local authority’s administrative area,

(d) F73[…]

(e) co-ordinate the activities of F74[local policing fora established in accordance with guidelines issued under section 35].

(3) F75[…]

(4) Neither the joint policing committee nor any of its subcommittees may consider matters relating to a specific criminal investigation or prosecution or matters relating to the security of the State.

(5) Not later than 3 months after the end of each year, the joint policing committee shall—

(a) submit to the local authority a report on the performance of its functions during the preceding year, and

(b) supply a copy of the report to F76[the Authority,] the Minister, the Garda Commissioner and such other persons as may be specified in the guidelines issued under section 35.

(6) A statement that, in the course of a discussion at a meeting of a joint policing committee or of any of its subcommittees, is made in any form and without malice by a member of the committee or subcommittee or by a person attending the meeting at the request of the committee or subcommittee is privileged for purposes of the law of defamation and so is any subsequent publication of the statement made without malice.