Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased the Deputy mentioned community policing because community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It recognises that every community, rural and otherwise, has its own concerns, priorities and expectations of An Garda Síochána and I welcome the strong emphasis of the modernisation and renewal programme, MRP, on further developing and supporting the ethos of community policing. This enables gardaí to spend more time in the community, allows them to gain the trust and confidence of local communities and provides a greater level of security in communities. I refer the Deputy to the community policing framework initiative in which community policing teams, comprising gardaí from a range of areas, will be set up. These teams will work with local communities to prevent and detect crime in their locality and each will be supported by the community safety forum.

These forums, which will comprise local gardaí, members of the public and members of community groups, will promote crime prevention strategies. This will ensure a clear and consistent approach to community policing and a better service for communities in west Cork, Carlow-Kilkenny and, in the case of Deputy Healy-Rae, Kerry.

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