Minister for Justice Michael McDowell is to seek Government approval for the proposed Garda Reserve force next month despite continuing opposition from within Garda ranks.
Tenders have already been invited for a major advertising campaign across all media and recruitment is expected to begin in the first week of August.
A meeting of the Oireachtas Justice Committee heard from representatives of the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, which are both opposed to the introduction of the force.
Both refused to discuss the proposal with the Committee before they meet tomorrow at the Garda arbitration body - the Garda Conciliation Council.
However, the Garda Representative Association (GRA), told the meeting that the GRA had an open mind going into tomorrow's meeting.
General Secretary PJ Stone also said the GRA has commissioned an independent report to study the performance of other reserve forces across the EU. He said everything would be on the table at the conciliation talks.
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy told the Oireachtas Justice Committee that he would be happy with the initial recruitment of 1,400 reserve officers, or 10% of the total Garda Síochána force.
He added: "It's a new departure for us but we have learned, and continue to learn from our colleagues in the UK and elsewhere."
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said that the garda reserve can increase crime deterrent and improve contact with communities.
Spokesman Paschal Feeney added: "We don't advocate breaking the law and we will uphold the will of the Oireachtas." "The proposed introduction of the Garda Reserve is a massive cultural change for the Garda Síochana and for the Garda Reserve."
Mr Feeney called for an effective performance management system to monitor the part-time force.
The Association of Chief Superintendents recently sent a delegation to study the reserve force in Liverpool, which has been operating for over 175 years.
The representative was impressed with the performance of the officers but it warned that reservists should not be allowed to wear their uniforms when travelling to and from work as they were officially off duty.
Chief Supt Liam Quinn added: "The reserve officers see themselves as an aid to the professional force.
He added: "A successful reserve force can only be achieved with the full and active participation of all the stakeholders, and if it is fully resourced."
Fine Gael and Labour today told the Oireachtas Committee that they had no objections to part-time force as long as it was not used as a substitute for the full-time force Opposition justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe said a garda reserve will help fight crime and protect communities, but he stressed it must involve full consultation with all stakeholders.
Fianna Fáil Senator Terry Leyden said the Garda Reserve Force was not included in the Coalition's Programme for Government and he said he didn't see a groundswell of support for it among the general public.
The Association of Garda Superintendents expressed concern that training to be given to reserve recruits is not adequate enough.
General Secretary Tony Kennelly also told the Justice Committee: "Members of the reserve force should have limited powers at the beginning and the granting of further powers should be a gradual process over a period of time."
Darrell La Fosse, an assistant commissioner in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Simon Taylor, deputy chief constable with Norfolk Constabulary also gave presentations to the committee.
Mr McDowell earlier informed the Cabinet of the draft regulations for the force, which include minimum fitness and educational requirements similar to existing gardai.
A five-phase training programme is planned, including 40 hours of practical experience on patrol and in a Garda station, with the final phase being a graduation ceremony.
Reservists will have powers of arrest, which will be confined to road traffic, public order, theft and fraud offences.
