TDs have been warned that it's impossible to say how many members the Gardaí need - because they don't record every crime reported to them.

The Garda Inspectorate says not every crime is noted by Gardaí, even when it results in a member visiting the scene

The inspectorate has been giving evidence at the Oireachtas Justice Committee this morning.

Deputy inspector Mark Toland says regular audits by the CSO have found some stations have no system to record alleged crimes.

In some cases, he said, there is no log book where phone calls from crime victims are recorded at all.

And he says that means it's very difficult to say for certain how many Gardaí are needed on our streets.

The claims come as new figures from the CSO show almost half of all crimes against individuals aren't reported to Gardaí in the first place.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports: