Opposition reaction: The Opposition parties have broadly welcomed the reports on reform of management structures of An Garda Síochána.
The interim report of the Garda Síochána Advisory Group and the report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate both called for a greater "civilianisation" of the force and for the creation of new civil posts at senior levels.
Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe said he supported having a lot more civilian support in the Garda to release members for operational duties.
However, he was disappointed at the slow pace of civilianisation of the Garda five years after it was first promised, "but these reports give this a boost".
The Labour Party justice spokesman, Brendan Howlin, said the reports were a useful contribution towards modernising the outdated and old-fashioned structures of the Garda.
However, the belated admission of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats after 9½ years in government of the need for Garda reform was only delivering change in a piecemeal fashion, he added.
While the introduction of civilians working at the highest level of the Garda would help end the inward-looking philosophy inherent at senior levels, complementary civilianisation at lower levels was also required, Mr Howlin said.
The Green Party spokesman on justice, Ciarán Cuffe, said the recommendations recognised the need for a complete overhaul of the top management structure of the Garda.
"I am pleased to see that a new civilian post at deputy commissioner level with responsibility for administration is in the offing, as well as a new post of assistant commissioner for professional standards. Minister McDowell must implement these vital recommendations without delay."
He also called on the Minister to allow time for a Dáil debate on the findings of the Morris tribunal and the Barr tribunal.