Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Garda budget in the Estimates for the capital programme has gone up 35%, a huge increase. The strength of the force has increased significantly and the Garda budget is up 39%. The Commissioner has undertaken to review the force's performance, looking at some new techniques in the areas where detection rates are not so high.

Detection rates for crimes against the person continue to compare very well internationally. Detection rates for property crime, vandalism, criminal damage and burglary, particularly of unoccupied houses and business premises, are low internationally, and we are no exception. The detection rates for property crime are falling and the Minister raised this issue with the Garda Commissioner several months ago. I understand the digital communications system for the Garda will be in place next June.

If one excludes the people transferred, in particular the 50 personnel from the uniformed service who were moved, the answer to Deputy Bruton's question is "yes". As one who is good with mathematics, I think Deputy Bruton will accept that when making a comparison it is wrong to exclude 50 people.

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