Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thought Mr. Cribben was somewhat critical of the Garda presence. I would not be of the same opinion. I think the Commissioner made a good comment in the past couple of weeks when she appeared before one of the committees. It is not about gardaí being out to catch people, it is about having a Garda presence in order to provide a deterrent. People say that gardaí go up and down the street all night. However, that kind of activity, as opposed to having them up the road bagging people, is fine. A deterrent is as good as enforcement and as catching people. The Commissioner said that in the past couple of weeks. There is very little traffic on the roads. Much is made of the checkpoint issue and the amount of bags used. The checkpoints were probably there but there were no cars on the road for people to drive through the checkpoints, as far as I know. I ask that the Minister review this Bill again and that due consideration be given to enforcing existing legislation.