Dissident republican terrorists remain a threat to State security, with a "strong capability" to attack chosen targets, according to a document being circulated among the Garda.
The Garda Siochana Corporate Strategy 2000-2004 also raises questions about the use of audio-visual recording of suspects' statements in custody, saying this might lead to a fall in detection rates.
The document, which is being circulated throughout the force, outlines the economic, technological, social, legal and ecological factors facing the police in the next five years.
It says the "Garda Siochana is unique among police services because, in addition to all the roles and functions of a national police service, it has full responsibility for State security . . .
"There is and there will be a strong capability amongst dissident groups to hit chosen targets and there must be a strong capability in An Garda Siochana to counter this threat.
"When terrorists attack the State it is the lives and quality of life of totally innocent people that are at risk. The toll of killed and injured is horrific and among them 31 gardai have died protecting people and the State and, among the thousands of gardai who have been injured or disabled on duty, many suffered their injuries while preventing terrorist activity."
The document says "the scale of drugs supply will require a concerted and multi-agency approach, more particularly on the demand reduction side," and it gives priority to improving the Garda response to drugs in communities over the five years. Three other prime objectives are: better response to emergency and other calls; enhancing road safety through increased and focused enforcement; and using information technology to deliver a better Garda service.
The document also anticipates new challenges.
It points out that if the growing economy leads to an inequitable division of wealth this could increase crime as more property becomes available for theft. Also, increased leisure time and increased income has the potential for increasing public disorder.
Technological advances have produced new crimes from Internet pornography and fraud but have also provided the Garda with means to detect more crime. The introduction of video- and audio-taping of suspects' statements in Garda stations may "affect detection rates", it warns.
It says: "Audio-visual suspect interviewing will ensure that suspects' rights are seen to be protected but experience elsewhere shows that many suspects do not like being on video and will say less. This may affect our detection rate. The rules of evidence, data protection law and the cost of videotape archiving means that introducing audio-visual recording will be more costly than previously estimated."
Reviewing the last five years, the document finds a reduction in crime since 1996; a rise in detection rates from 33 per cent to 44 per cent - now among the highest anywhere; and recorded that about 89 per cent of people polled expressed satisfaction with the force.
The strategy document was drawn up by the Garda's organisation unit at Garda Head quarters, in conjunction with the office of Commissioner Pat Byrne.