Senior Gardaí could be free to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland by Easter, it was claimed tonight.
SDLP representatives who met the Minister for Justice Mr McDowell in Dublin said legislation was expected to be passed within the next few months.
Cross-border secondment was one of the recommendations included in the Patten blueprint for reforming the old Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
SDLP Assembly member Ms Patricia Lewsley said Mr McDowell had reassured her that this was a priority issue. The Lagan Valley MLA said: "Once the legislation is in place we would hope to see gardaí in the PSNI within months.
"This is something we have been calling for over the years, the whole issue of bi-lateral policing and secondment."
All stages of the new legislation could be debated and passed in the Dáil in one day, she said.
PA