Ms Cliona Richardson:

In relation to the operating model that will become live on 3 December, we have had a lot of engagement on the JPCs, the superintendents, the inspectors and all the gardaí on the ground on the implementation of the model. A review was carried out and it was deemed that the three-county model would be workable within the Louth-Cavan-Monaghan division. The chief superintendent there is very happy that it is workable and we are able to do it.

The operational model streamlines a lot of work for members. Deputy Ó Murchú said there is only one superintendent with responsibility for crime, but in fact there are two detective superintendents in the region to supplement the superintendent with responsibility for crime in Cavan-Monaghan. Each superintendent will have an area of responsibility and these will be adequately staffed in order to do that. That streamlining is there so they are not being pulled in many different directions, which they have been before. They have specific responsibilities and they can carry them out efficiently and effectively. That is what the operational model does. It gives a more efficient and effective way of policing within the community. What is really important in that regard is that the community engagement piece is very strong in the Louth-Cavan-Monaghan division, in particular in Louth where we will have two community engagement areas to ensure the diversity in that division is addressed within the operating model.