McDowell to change recruitment methods for Garda reserve

There is to be a change in the way that Garda reserves are recruited, Minister for Justice Michael Mc Dowell said today.

Speaking at his party's national conference, the Progressive Democrat leader said he plans to empower local Garda superintendents to recruit reservists at local level.

Mr McDowell told delegates that this makes far more sense than the current system, which he introduced.

The Tánaiste said changes in the recruitment process could get underway as early as next week, when he meets with the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.