The effect of proposals to radically overhaul the Garda Síochána will be felt for the next 50 years, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell said today.
The Garda Bill, which Mr McDowell hopes to bring before the Oireachtas near the end of the year will "form the basis of new relationships between the Garda Síochána on the one hand, and the Government and the people on the other, which will see us well into the 21st century", the Minister said.
Mr McDowell described the Bill, further details of which were revealed today, as the most important piece of legislation of his career.
One of the most anticipated elements of the new Bill will be the Garda inspectorate and the Minister today was quick to play down speculation he was unwilling to give it full ombudsman powers.
He said his tendency to use the word inspectorate over ombudsman was because his proposals envisage a multi-person board rather than having powers vested in a single person with a support team.
He said a balance must be struck between the powers of the inspectorate and the gardaí themselves and that he would be consulting relevant parties during the drafting of the legislation.
"An inspectorate will require in certain circumstances the powers of detention, search, seizure and entry into premises for the proper discharge of its functions. Such powers, of course, need to be balanced by protections for those who will be affected by their exercise, including potential judicial oversight," he said.
Other elements of the Bill include provisions for the creation a reserve force and greater powers for civilian security officers to release gardaí from static security duties particularly at State buildings.
He did not envision either provision being acted upon soon but said because the Bill would have such long lasting effects, he would provide the legal framework for future consideration.
Provisions to increase Garda accountability to the Minister for Justice and the Oireachtas should also be extended to local authorities where greater levels of consultation should be encouraged.
"The Gardaí must have a forum for direct input into local authority strategies which affect policing issues ranging form planning to public order to estate management," Mr McDowell said.
The Bill will also enshrine in law, a code of ethics for Gardaí.