Organisations representing all ranks of the Garda yesterday reacted positively to the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson's signalling of a future role for gardai in the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The organisations indicated there could be considerable interest from gardai in being either seconded or permanently transferring to the PSNI, particularly given the more attractive pay rates and tax regime in the North.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Mr Mandelson said the policy of the British government was supportive of "lateral entry" by members of the Garda into the PSNI.
"In theory it is possible that such lateral entry could come about, but precisely how, and on what terms, would remain to be considered."
The president of the Garda Representative Association, Mr Greg Fogarty, said it had no problem with participation by gardai in the PSNI.
"It was always the case that members in the South could join the RUC and it seems to follow they would be able to join the new service," he said.
Indeed, he added, in the context of free movement of workers across the EU, gardai should be freely able to join the police force of any other EU state.
"I honestly could not say what the take-up rate might be," Mr Fogarty said. He said joining the Northern force might appeal to members serving in Border areas but might not have the same appeal for gardai based in locations further south.
"Policing is a similar job, no matter where you're based," he said. "Members might see more exciting opportunities in the new service in Northern Ireland."
He added, however, that he had had no queries from GRA members about joining the new force.
Supt Pat Diggin of the Association of Garda Superintendents also regarded Mr Mandelson's comments as a positive development. If the political situation settled, a position within the Northern service might appeal to his members.
While the Belfast Agreement had made provision for the possibility of Garda entry into the new policing service, Mr Mandelson's comments were the first positive suggestion in that regard, he said.
The association would have no objection to superintendents joining the new force, he said. The AGS and its Northern equivalent, the Superintendents' Association of Northern Ireland, already had strong links and a good working relationship, he added.
If superintendents were seconded to the Northern service, the AGS would do its best to ensure they received parity of pay and conditions. "We would certainly like to have their pay," Supt Diggin said, pointing out that RUC superintendents earn in the region of £50,000 sterling annually, some £10,000 more than their Southern counterparts.
A spokesman for the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors anticipated a high level of interest among AGSI members in the proposals to be advanced by Mr Mandelson. Whether interest translated into a high take-up of posts in the PSNI remained to be seen, he said.
Until more detail was forthcoming about the British government's proposals, the AGSI was adopting a "wait and see" approach, the spokesman added.
