The new Garda Dublin City Centre security plan 'won’t see armed Gardaí on street corners' the Justice Minister has told Newstalk Breakfast.
Yesterday, Gardai announced a detailed plan to increase security in the city following a number of high-profile crimes in the capital.
That came after the Department of Justice allocated an extra €10 million for Garda overtime - which will mean an additional 16,500 policing hours every month.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Helen McEntee said the approach won't see officers on the beat with weapons.
"What we will see is greater visibility and Gardaí out on the beat, and I think that's what people want to see," she said.
"It's about providing reassurance, it's about preventing crime, it's also detecting [and] responding to crime.
"We will see a greater presence, and I think people have already seen that".
As part of 'Operation Citizen', there will be a strong focus on tackling street level drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and seizure of alcohol.
There will also be an enhanced visible Garda presence at strategic locations in the city centre such as main thoroughfares and the Liffey Boardwalk.
'Supported by specialist units'
Minister McEntee said specialist units will respond if the need arises.
"It is Gardaí out on the beat, engaging with business, engaging with people... responding to issues as they arise," she said.
"They will be supported then by specialist units.
"This may be a perception, that we're going to have armed Gardaí standing on the corner of our streets - that's not what we're talking about here.
"The Armed Support Unit has always supported 'Operation Citizen'; they're there in the vans, they're there should a knife incident occur, should there be a threat to life, should something get out of hand.
"That will continue to be the case."
Night-time patrols
Minister McEntee said there will be an emphasis on the night-time economy.
"The support from the Public Order Unit, it's not like there will be Gardaí with hard hats, shields and batons," she said.
"They will be out in soft cap uniforms... on the ground, on the beat.
"For the most part it will be during the night-time - the evening - to support the night-time economy where you have more people out, where there's alcohol involved.
"It's not about people with tasers or weapons standing on the side of the street."
Asked whether there would be a focus on public transport, Minister McEntee said the plan is about the best use of resources.
"The Commissioner and his team are very clear that we need to use the resources in the best way possible, and that is making sure that there is that high visibility in those areas where you have a lot of people - be it on public transport or other areas," she added.
