Almost 200 people from ethnic minorities who applied to join An Garda Síochána have made it through to the interview stage, it was confirmed today.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy said 8 per cent of all applicants in the latest Garda recruitment campaign were non-nationals.
Of those, 193 have made it through to the interview stage. Mr Conroy, speaking in Armagh at the announcement of a cross-Border police training programme designed to improve relations minority communities, said gardaí were working towards building strong links within ethnic communities.
"It is very important to reach a multicultural society," he said. "We have always had diversity in Ireland. However in recent years it has become more varied and complex.
"Experience has shown that accommodation diversity requires careful planning and ongoing commitment from all concerned. This commitment is required not only at an organisational level but also at a personal level."