The Minister for Justice and the Northern Secretary have concluded an inter-governmental agreement on police co-operation in Ireland. Mr O'Donoghue, reacting to unionist complaints, confirmed that Garda officers would not have to take any new oath of allegiance to the Crown if they were to serve in the PSNI.
Dr John Reid, said cross-Border co-operation had helped prevent three or four potential atrocities since he became Northern Secretary in January last year.
He added that the new arrangements, which will enhance co-operation in 12 areas, were in keeping with the Patten report on the future of policing.
"This is the first step in the creation of more formalised links between our two police services," he said.
"There will be opportunities for the movement of officers between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána, on both a temporary and permanent basis.
"Reciprocal secondment and exchange arrangements will be introduced." The measures follow other changes in recruitment practices which make it easier for senior gardaí to apply for similar positions in the PSNI.
A condition that candidates for the ranks of Assistant, Deputy and Chief Constable was altered by the North's Policing Board in December.
Applicants will no longer have to be graduates of the UK's policing college at Bramshill in England.
There are currently two vacancies at Assistant Chief Constable level with the possibility that two further vacancies will arise following the appointment of the next Chief Constable.