There is also the issue of equality in society. I agree with the comments about the importance of having a Garda presence. It is important to have gardaí on the streets, partly to make people feel secure about their local areas, but also to help the gardaí develop a relationship with members of their communities. It is bad for that relationship if gardaí only appear in a patrol car in the community when something has gone wrong. It is helpful if they are on the beat in the day time so that members of the public can talk to them. The community garda service is important. From talking to gardaí, I am aware they have many new responsibilities which are valid, but we should not let community policing take a back seat because it is important in terms of crime prevention.