Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has spoken of the hurt felt by gardaí following the findings of the latest Morris tribunal reports into Garda corruption.
Mr Conroy also said that problems highlighted by the Morris tribunal have been dealt with by "a number of new initiatives".
The Commissioner, who cut short his summer holidays to deal with the fallout from the reports, admitted that there are a small number of members who fail to meet required and expected standards.
However he added that he was "conscious of the hurt felt by all Garda members as a result of some not adhering to proper procedures."
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy
Speaking at a press conference in Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park, Mr Conroy added: "I've no doubt that a lot of fine officers in all ranks, including retired officers, are actually hurting at this moment."
"I talk to members, both serving and retired, and they have clearly indicated to me that they are disturbed at what is coming out from the tribunal.
"But the work of this Tribunal will in the long term improve us as an organisation and its service to the people. That's what we want to do."
He added: "I would like to acknowledge the fine work of the vast majority of men and women who make up the Garda service and who carry out their duties diligently, efficiently and with the highest levels of integrity, day in, day out throughout the country."
In its latest reports, the tribunal, which is investigating Garda corruption in Co Donegal, found gross insubordination and indiscipline in the force relating to events in Donegal in the mid-1990s.
The commissioner said that a number of new initiatives and developments have been introduced following the previous reports of the tribunal and that issues identified in the latest three reports will be dealt with quickly.
Mr Conroy said Garda procedures and practices are kept under constant review and modified to ensure that these people are identified and dealt with appropriately.
He also said he was aware of the need for the Garda to earn and maintain the respect of the public through the actions of its members and that this is "strongly emphasised" to all members during their initial training and throughout their career.
Nonetheless, he said that he was confident that the Garda is providing a better service to the citizens of the State due to changes in the way it is managed.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties said it appeared the Garda Commissioner had yet to "grasp the nettle" of outlining the concrete action he intends to take to make the force "a fully accountable and human rights-compliant police service".
Ciarán Cuffe
The ICCL noted that Noel Conroy had accepted that "there are a small number of members who fail to meet the required and expected standards" and has acknowledged the findings of the Morris tribunal.
Mark Kelly, director of the ICCL, said: "In the fortnight since the publication of the latest Morris reports, the ICCL has been preparing a detailed position paper, outlining the steps that will be required to implement Mr. Justice Morris's recommendations. Commissioner Conroy's remarks today will be taken into account in that paper, which will be released in due course."
Green Party justice spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said Mr Conroy needs to acknowledge publicly that radical reforms are required to address the policing needs of modern Ireland.
"The Garda system of promotion needs to emphasise merit more than seniority. Human rights training needs to be mainstreamed within the force and more in-service training is required.
"Noel Conroy acknowledged today that there were devious people within the Garda organisation, but he needs to realise that the events that unfolded in Donegal were as much about management failing as about the activities of individual members of the force.
"The Commissioner must explain his own role in transferring rogue officers in Donegal to duties elsewhere, rather than firing them. There is still a culture of complacency within the force that needs to be tackled at the most senior level."
