All but the four most senior public figures in the State may lose their Garda drivers within the next two years under a shake-up of the Garda Siochana's personnel resources.
Garda representatives and management are currently in talks about proposals to remove some 643 gardai from administrative and "specialist" non-policing jobs such as driving dignitaries and replace them by civilians.
The report by consultants particularly singles out Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, for major change.
Half the total number of Garda jobs which are to be "civilianised" are at Garda HQ. These cuts include the replacement of 133 Garda jobs in the transport section at the Phoenix Park with civilian staff.
All but 10 of the 59 Garda ministerial and VIP drivers are to be replaced. Only the President, Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Justice will have Garda drivers, under the proposals.
The 49 gardai currently driving Cabinet members, ex-Taoisigh and senior judges would be redeployed to operational duties.
There are also to be substantial cuts in other administrative areas. The report, prepared under the Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Garda, proposes the civilianising of posts currently occupied by 554 gardai, 73 sergeants, 11 inspectors and five superintendents.
The removal of such a number of positions within the Garda is causing concern among middle ranks who believe the programme will cause serious delays in promotions. The consultants propose that 332 posts should be civilianised in the next two years and the remainder within a further four years.
The report recommends the hiring of civilians even in sensitive positions, including telecommunications interceptions, which is carried out by the crime and security section.
The consultants also recommend that there should be civilianisation of jobs up to chief superintendent rank.
This might lead to a renewal of the debate about whether the Garda should have civilian management, including a civilian commissioner. This has happened in the past.
The report also envisages gardai reporting to more senior civilian personnel within the organisation. It states that all civilian staff should be accountable to the Garda Commissioner.
The Commissioner would be obliged to ensure there was no "parallelism" between civilian and Garda posts.
It points out that the current civilian function in the Garda organisation "could not be described as a fully integrated element of the organisation". It should also be ensured that civilians do not "feel isolated when career development is a low priority" or feel alienated by "traditional police culture".
The report points out that in police forces where there is substantial civilian staffing, such as the Dutch police, the contribution of civilians is highly valued.
The consultants' recommendations on civilianisation are expected to be implemented as set out in the report. Under the terms of the SMI, Garda management is directed to carry out its recommendations.
Announcing the SMI consultants' review in July 1996, the Government stated that the Garda Commissioner's contract would require him "to co-operate fully with the efficiency and cost-effectiveness review of the Garda Siochana".
The Commissioner is also required to implement "on a time-scale determined by the Government and the Minister such decisions as may be taken by the Minister for Justice or the Government on foot of interim or final recommendations of the Strategic Management Initiative Co-ordinating Group."
Garda Headquarters at the Phoenix Park, Dublin: singled out.