Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

One of the frustrations common among people in respect of community policing is that if a particular event is taking place - I refer to events such as those held at Marlay Park in the Minister's constituency - the first officers to be withdrawn are community gardaí. The position in this regard must be examined. If resources are scarce in a particular operation area, community gardaí are often deployed to guard former taoisigh, etc. I accept that this is a hot potato but when will the proposed changes in this regard be forthcoming? People want to see community gardaí being active in their areas. I accept that there is a need for policing when football matches are taking place at Tallaght Stadium in my constituency. However, there are also things happening in the community of which account must be taken. Local superintendents are obliged to take decisions on where to deploy officers.

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