They will have "full Garda powers while on duty and perform the policing duties as determined by the Commissioner under the supervision of, and supported by, regular Garda members".
- Reservists will carry out "local patrols and crime reduction initiatives, targeted at specific local urban or rural problem areas". They can also expect to be involved in policing major incidents and events and in providing support to gardaí on the basis of skill or "local knowledge".
- They will be issued with the same uniform and equipment, including handcuffs and batons, as regular gardaí and will use Pulse (the Garda computer system) to input driving licence and insurance details, for vehicle checks, to update vehicle status and warrant searches. They will not have access to "intelligence entries" on Pulse.
- The powers proposed for reserve members will be confined to the enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts, the Public Order Act, the Theft Act and the Criminal Law Act (1997). There will be one rank, that of reserve garda, apart from an honorary post of Chief Officer to represent the members.
- Criteria for entry will be the same as for the Garda. Members must be aged between 18 and 57 and be certified by a doctor as physically and mentally sound. They will serve a two-year probationary period and must retire at 65.
- Introduction, training and graduation sessions will take 120 hours and take place at the Garda College in Templemore or in regional locations at evenings and weekends.
- Like full-time gardaí, they will be vetted for security and character; they will have the same education standards as the full-time force; will serve only in uniform, will not drive official vehicles nor carry firearms; will be subject to full disciplinary procedure, when on duty and in uniform; will not be deployed to carry out duties in their own neighbourhoods.
- Members will be paid a "modest annual allowance, covering travelling and miscellaneous expenses" as well as payments for court appearances in line with civilian witness expenses.
- Those ineligible for entry include bookmakers, taxi-drivers, dance-hall owners, publicans, solicitors, auctioneers, active members of political parties, bailiffs, court staff, probation officers, private detectives and security guards.