Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy on the first point about Garda visibility. That is what people want. In my community in Blanchardstown and Castleknock people like to see gardaí out on the beat, in cars and on bicycles. The Deputy is right about that. We are increasing Garda numbers and we have 600 more gardaí now than two years ago. More are being recruited all the time and that will facilitate greater visibility. However, it is not just about staff and resources. Things can be done with existing staff levels to increase visibility, such as greater civilianisation. Many gardaí are not out in public where people can see them because they are behind desks and in offices and that has to change. We will need co-operation from the Garda Representative Association and others with regard to civilianisation.

Second, we will need changes in rostering. Gardaí are often not rostered when they are needed, something that can happen in the health service too. There might be many people on duty when it is relatively busy but when it is extremely busy there are not so many people on duty. That may mean asking people to work rosters that they consider to be anti-social, but if we care about society we must have staff in the Garda, the health service and in other areas rostered on duty when society needs them. I hope the Deputy will be supportive of the Garda Commissioner and the Government in making those reforms.

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