Report to call for changes to structure of Garda management

A new report into An Garda Síochana has recommended ways for more officers to be assigned to front line policing.

The Irish Times reports that a review of the police force examines all aspects of Garda resourcing, culture, practices and procedures, and recommends reform.

The report, which is yet to be published, is also believed to include recommendations for reforms in the management structures.

The study was commissioned by the former Justice Minister Alan Shatter, but its report will be brought to Cabinet by the current minister Frances Fitzgerald next week.

Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams, says an independent Garda Authority should be established to increase the level of transparency within the force.

Mr Adams said: "We need to have a Police Authority. It needs to be democratic. You need to take away the political patronage which used to exist over a long period.

"The gardaí need to have operational independence, but they need to be policing with the community," Deputy Adams added, stressing that "the vast vast majority of gardaí" already do that.