Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator. Immigration registration functions were performed by members of An Garda Síochána and we changed that earlier this year. Those functions have been transferred to civilians or members of staff within my Department. We need to keep trying to identify the type of work gardaí are doing at present that can be done by civilians within An Garda Síochána or, as is the case of immigration registration functions, within my Department. I am very committed to the contents of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report. It has come up with some excellent ideas. The legislation that was suggested in the report has already been enacted, and I commenced it a number of weeks ago. There is a broad recognition on the part of the Government and policymakers that the purpose of our legislation and policy decisions when it comes to gardaí is to ensure that we get them out on the streets. That is where people want to see them. We are in a lucky position whereby there is no place that gardaí cannot go. In fact, what people want is to see more of them in their communities. I again thank the Senator for raising this matter.