Most Opposition parties have called for safeguards to help protect against potential miscarriages of justice in response to the Government's plans to strengthen the power of the Garda.
Fine Gael's, Mr John Deasy, however, was alone in providing full support for the measures and said they represented a welcome tilting of the scales of justice towards victims of crime
"If we are serious about tackling the high levels of crime then a combination of Garda numbers on the street and appropriate powers to enable them to do their job properly are required," Mr Deasy said. "Unfortunately we will not be getting the extra 2,000 gardaí promised at the last election, but those out on the beat will eventually benefit from the increased powers outlined in the proposals today."
The Labour Party's, Mr Joe Costello, said that while the party was not opposed to the measures in principal, the additional powers should be counterbalanced by appropriate safeguards.
"We believe the new powers should not come into operation until the proposed Garda inspectorate has been established and is fully operational," he said.
"They should also be dependent on the provision of video and audio taping facilities in interview rooms in all Garda stations."
The Green Party also called on the Minister to bring forward proposals for a Garda ombudsman prior to giving the Gardaí any additional powers.
The party's spokesman, Mr Ciarán Cuffe, said he was concerned that the Criminal Justice Bill proposed the granting of significantly increased detention times without any mention of an independent Garda inspectorate.
"The gardaí have to be accountable to an independent body if they are to command the public's trust and respect. This can be best achieved by putting in place a Garda ombudsman as a balance and as an appropriate protection before any move toward granting additional power," Mr Cuffe said.
Mr Aengus Ó Snódaigh, of Sinn Féin, described the increased detention time for suspects as a measure which added to a litany of "repressive legislation" that has been introduced by the Minister over the last 12 months.
Ms Aisling Reidy, of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, expressed concern that while the Garda was being given extra powers, there was no guarantee they would be used effectively.
She said she was concerned that the powers to increase the period of detention to 24 hours did not contain any obligation for solicitors to be present.
Under current laws, a suspect may have access to a solicitor, but a legal representative may not be present during questioning.
