Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan:

The Deputy asked about the emphasis on civilianisation and having civilian members. That is to ensure that sworn gardaí are out engaging with the community and providing that level of reassurance. In terms of the additional recruitment of members, as I said earlier 198 new members last week went to stations all over the country. By the end of this year we will have 400 additional new members going to the stations. The reassurance of having boots on the street, so to speak, and having gardaí out engaging with the community is palpable and is having an effect. That is something we will have to continue-----