The Office of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will be fully operational by the start of 2007, according to a report published today.
"The Ombudsman Commission should be in a position at that point to open its doors to start receiving complaints," the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said today.
Later this afternoon President Mary McAleese, will formally appoint Justice Kevin Haugh as chairperson of the commission, with former Irish Timeseditor Conor Brady and current Director of Consumer Affairs Carmel Foley becoming members of it.
The office will have an annual budget of €10 million.
The report advises on the implementation of the Garda Síochána Act and was drawn up by members of a committee chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes.
Mr Hayes previously undertook a review that led to the creation of the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland. He also said that progress was well advanced in recruiting a Chief Inspector for the office of Garda Inspectorate - which he expects to be operative by the summer of 2006.
This office will oversee the policy within the force. Mr Hayes described the Inspectorate as "hugely important" because it "benchmarks gardaí against international standards".
The report also recommends a programme of "civilianisation" throughout the force as well as the devolution of power from the Garda Commissioner into the hands of assistant commissioners in the regions.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy said he welcomed the idea of civilianisation throughout the force and said certain areas were "crying out for it".
