Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have an observation on one of the points in the report, which mentions that at public meetings community leaders reported a noticeable reduction in Garda visibility. Was the measurement of this defined? Last Friday, the Dáil debated a Private Members' Bill on the ramming of Garda vehicles. During the course of the discussion it was stated that approximately 53% of Garda vehicles are unmarked. Apparently, a larger percentage of the new vehicles deployed this year are unmarked. Therefore, it stands to reason that the figure of 53% is increasing. My question on the observation from the public meeting is how is it determined whether there is or is not a reduction in the Garda presence. Is it simply a matter of visibility and that the public is not necessarily seeing the gardaí?