I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 74 together.
In the interests of efficiency and effectiveness the Minister intends to pursue a policy where the Gardaí could shed functions which they have traditionally carried out, but which do not necessarily have to be discharged by police officers. This will assist them to focus on the core policing duties for which they have been specially trained. In this regard, the Minister will be reviewing the proposals contained in the reports of the interdepartmental group on Garda deployment in the DMA and the steering group on Garda efficiency and effectiveness.
I should, of course, emphasise that what the Minister has in mind in all of this is the assignment to others of non-police functions only. The Minister will be taking particular care and will listen to expert advice to ensure that what can properly be regarded as police functions remain with the Garda Síochána who have the training and the tradition to discharge these functions in the way the public expects them to be discharged.
The plans to transfer responsibility from the Garda in Dublin for the management of the traffic warden, on-the-spot fines and tow-away services to Dublin Corporation are an entirely separate matter.