A new expert group has been appointed to advise Garda management on changes the Minister for Justice believes need to be made to the Garda in the wake of adverse findings in the Morris and Barr tribunal reports, The Irish Times has learned.
The appointment of the four-person group effectively creates a layer of civilian management advisers at the top of the force.
It is the first time in the history of An Garda Síochána that non-members will play such a role in driving change within the organisation.
The new group is made up of business figures and Senator Maurice Hayes.
Its composition is likely to raise fears among senior Garda management that the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is intent on civilianising parts of the policy-making process and management of the force.
The group will have access to members of all ranks and, in consultation with Mr McDowell, will "lend their experience" to bringing about change.
Informed sources said the group would "not be checking up" on Garda management and it would not formulate recommendations.
"It will help to execute changes already in the pipeline like the Inspectorate, Ombudsman Commission, the Garda Reserve and so on," said one source.
The four-person "advisory group on Garda management and leadership development" is to be chaired by Mr Hayes, who previously chaired the Garda Síochána Act implementation review group.
The other members of the new advisory group are: Emer Daly, former director of strategic planning and risk management with Axa Insurance; Maurice Keane, former group chief executive of the Bank of Ireland; and Dr Michael Mulreany, assistant director general of the Institute of Public Administration.
The group's terms of reference include "addressing the management and leadership challenges facing the force" through:
Developing strong management and leadership skills at all management grades;
The promotion of a culture of performance management and accountability within the framework of the Garda Síochána Act 2005;
Continuing the development of human resource management, including the development of succession planning at senior levels;
Accelerating the recruitment of civilians with specialist expertise;
Generally enhancing training for members and staff of An Garda Síochána.
Mr McDowell said the group would operate for 12 months and would offer "key support" to Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy and his senior Garda management team.
