Have the Department any plans to advance the concept and theory of community policing, that is to say, the provisions of a Garda presence within local communities? Would the Minister give his view and the view of the Department on the increasing tendency towards the formation of vigilante groups in local urban areas?

(Limerick East): Many submissions have been made at different times to the Department on the general idea of community policing. Today I gave some of my views on the matter. I pointed out that a chief superintendent has been appointed to concentrate on this area. The decision to employ gardaí on the beat in uniform is another way to try to establish a stronger community relationship. On the question of vigilante groups, in so far as they exist it is a rather limited problem but I deplore it. It is outrageous that any group should set themselves up as enforcers of law and order. There is one Garda force here and they only are responsible for law and order. That is the way it will remain. On the other hand, there is a strong case to be made for community groups to be involved in a type of community watch operation. They would in a formalised way establish relationships between a local community and the Garda and would, in effect, answer the appeal which has frequently been made by the Garda for the co-operation of the public. That is interpreted quite frequently as the co-operation of individual citizens and I suggest that there is room for a response at community level also.