GOVERNMENT concern over the effectiveness, morale and discipline of the Garda has prompted consideration of appointing an outsider as Commissioner to succeed Mr Patrick Culligan, who retires on July 20th.
Such an appointment would be controversial and would add to the tensions which exist between the Government and the force's various representative bodies. But the fact that the matter is even being informally discussed reflects the level of concern within Government over crime, drugs and policing issues.
A Government source said there had been "no serious discussion" at Ministerial level about bringing in an outsider. But he said it was still possible such a course of action would be taken.
Normally, the new Garda chief is chosen from the ranks of deputy commissioner, or even assistant commissioner, by the Minister for Justice. But on at least two previous occasions outsiders were appointed by separate governments. A full Cabinet discussion and review of the situation is expected before a Commissioner is appointed.
Preliminary discussions be tween party leaders, Mr John Bruton, Mr Dick Spring, and Mr Proinsias De Rossa, and the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, may take place next week.
As one of the most important appointments the Government will make in its term of office, Ministers are anxious to get it right. The Opposition parties have placed them on full alert that crime, drugs and public confidence in the police force will form a major element of the coming general election campaign. And they are faced with intractable problems of discipline, cohesion and morale within the lower ranks of the force.
A Garda Siochana Bill, designed to heal divisions between the breakaway Garda Federation with the Garda Representative Body, is awaiting its Second Stage reading in the Dail. The Bill is being opposed by both bodies and Fianna Fail has yet to declare its formal position on the legislation.
This public dispute over Garda representation has damaged the cohesion and public image of the force at a time when the drugs problem in Dublin is said to be spiralling out of control. There have been 11 unsolved drug related killings in recent times and hard drugs, such as heroin, are fuelling the crime rate.
To respond to this new threat to society, senior Garda management has proposed a radical change in the rostering system for gardai in Dublin - at present it operates on three equally balanced eight hour shifts - but strong resistance is being indicated from within the force.