Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The rationale behind this is to put gardaí on the beat and where they are needed. They are not needed behind the desk in a police station but out in a patrol car, on the beat, working with the community to prevent and detect crime.

According to figures published by the Central Statistics Office, the level of crime in 12 out of the 14 categories measured was down in 2012 compared to the figure for 2011. Additional moneys will be provided in 2013 for the purchase of Garda vehicles. The emphasis is on equipping the Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to deal with crime. The evidence is that these reforms are succeeding. Of course, any crime against an individual is one crime too many. The Minister for Justice and Equality, the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Síochána are determined to deal with all crimes as effectively as possible and encourage the public and community organisations to work closely with gardaí in fighting crime.

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