If a career in the Garda appeals to you, you may have to wait a while for the next recruitment campaign. The last recruitment drive was advertised in November 1998 and there is usually a two-year interval between recruitment campaigns. The educational requirements are very inclusive with both the Leaving Cert Vocational and the Leaving Cert Applied being accepted as well as the traditional Leaving Cert (see panel).

So, if you are a second-level student now, what should you do after your Leaving Certificate if you are waiting for the Garda to advertise? A Garda spokeswoman says many students have the idea that legal studies would be the most useful qualification. But, legal studies is, in fact, "light years away from what we do", she says, we have to present evidence in court and preserve the scene of the crime.

"I would prefer to see people going into areas such as computer studies, outdoor pursuits, leisure (because of the fitness element), languages or a course which hones their social skills," she adds.

As to the type of person best suited to the job, she says "you need to have very good social skills, you need to be able to mix and you should be a good listener. You need a lot of patience. You can learn all of the theory in the world but you have to go out and put it into practice. Every situation is different. You have to take a common-sense approach."

Gardai are usually the first people at the scene of the crime so they must be able to "keep a calm head, to assess a situation and to calm people down". All of the cliches are true, she says wryly; you have to be a counsellor, a social worker, a problem solver and an enforcer of the law.

It may sound daunting but the spokeswoman is enthusiastic about a job that is "very rewarding, it offers fantastic opportunities including opportunities to travel." For the past ten years, serving members of the Garda Siochana have participated in UN missions abroad in places such as Nambia, Angola, the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus and South Africa. The Garda also has an aerial support wing and a mounted unit.

However, for someone starting out life begins, somewhat more mundanely, with a training programme in Templemore, Co Tipperary. The training follows a type of sandwich structure with periods in Templemore alternating with periods of work experience. After phase three, trainees are attested and become probationary members of the force. The final phase of training lasts 36 weeks. Two years after attestation, probationers become full members of the garda.

From there progress is by means of exams and interviews. Gardai may apply for the sergeant's exam three years after they have completed their probationary period. If they pass the exam, there are two sets of interviews - promotion is not automatic. Gardai and sergeants may be posted anywhere in the country.

From sergeant, progress to inspector is also via exam and interview. The higher ranks are attained by means of interview only.