Garda reaction: Garda representative groups have given a cautious welcome to the proposed reforms to Garda management and structures outlined in the two reports published yesterday.
The Association of Garda Superintendents said it had made a submission to the Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate, Kathleen O'Toole, and was pleased to see some of its recommendations had been acted on.
However, the association's president Supt Noel McLoughlin said he would welcome an extension of proposals to recruit specialists in human resources and financial management to support regional assistant commissioners.
"We'd like to see that extended down into districts to give senior officers at that level more assistance," he said.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) said it had previously suggested many of the measures contained in yesterday's reports.
General secretary Joe Dirwan said his members would welcome the process of civilianisation proposed as long as these posts were additional and did not replace garda members.
"We have consistently said that we are in dire need of clerical support staff.
"We have around 10 per cent civilianisation in An Garda Síochana at a time when the international average is as high as 40 per cent," Mr Dirwan said.
He also supported proposals to civilianise the post of deputy commissioner with responsibility for strategic and resource management when the incumbent Peter Fitzgerald retires next year.
"We have seen situations in the past where people, through no fault of their own, have been asked to fill positions they have no experience in," Mr Dirwan said.
"We have seen problems in the past that have not been dealt with properly and that have developed in conflict issues."
He believes members should be allowed transfer for periods to the public and private sector where they could develop skills they could bring back to the force.
