Community policing, visibility, and diversity in An Garda Síochána, are among the topics of discussion this afternoon at the first meeting of the Policing Authority with the Garda Commissioner.

Gardaí say they have taken €36m worth of drugs, and 36 firearms off the streets since March of last year.

These seizures led to the arrests of 200 people by the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan said that tackling organised crime and drugs goes a long way to protecting communities.

“Last year, since the merger of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, right up to date there’s been over €36m worth of drugs taken off the streets,” she said.

“And that includes heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and, indeed, cannabis.

“Also they have been a number of firearms [seized]. So to date, since March of last year, there have been 36 firearms seized.”