Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy says he is glad that proposed legislation on covert surveillance is to go before the Dáil shortly.
He said the new legislation would allow evidence gathered by the gardaí through surveillance to be admissible in the courts.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Mr Murphy again extended his sympathy to the family of Shane Geoghegan, who was shot dead last weekend near his home in Limerick in a case of mistaken identity.
He said the incidence of gun crime in Limerick had fallen by 60% in recent months but he acknowledged the drop did not take away from the situation of feuding gangs in the city.
The Garda Commissioner also said the level of garda visibility on the streets was higher than ever before.
