The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said last night it would have "absolutely no difficulty" with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny's proposal to open up senior Garda positions to candidates from outside the force.
In his address to the annual Michael Collins commemoration at Bealnablath, Co Cork yesterday, Mr Kenny said police officers from abroad or Irish people with special expertise should be able to join the senior ranks of the Garda.
"If we are serious about modernising our police force, we should look at adding to their skills base. Opening up senior Garda positions to experts from outside the force, whether that be recruiting experienced officers from overseas, or others with expert skills in specialist areas, from the wider community," he said.
Mr Kenny said the latest report from the Morris tribunal raised "serious issues and challenges for the gardaí".
Although it was unclear what levels in the force Mr Kenny wished to open up to outside competition, a spokesman for the AGSI said the proposal would not cause "any problem whatsoever" for the association, regardless of the level at which appointments would be made.
"We would welcome any outside expertise, in fact we have called for it over the years," the spokesman added.
"As long as the recruitment, promotion and appointments systems are fair, open and transparent we would have absolutely no difficulty." The AGSI spokesman said that he also welcomed a proposal from the Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, to establish a civilian police authority.
"We have also called for that for many, many years," he said.
However, the AGSI was making no comment "as yet" on the overall findings of the latest Morris reports, the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said last night that no date has been set for a meeting with Commissioner Noel Conroy about the GRA's statement last week criticising the Morris tribunal's conclusions in relation to Det Sgt John White.