Mr Jim Walsh (FF) said that precautions must be taken to ensure that no members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) could become operative members of the Garda Síochána if potential question marks hung over their service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
He was speaking in the second stage debate on the Garda Síochána (Police Co-operation) Bill which provides for an exchange of personnel between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
He said the Stevens inquiry had yet to report on the alleged collusion between members of the RUC and loyalist paramilitaries.
Disagreeing with Mr Walsh, Dr Maurice Hayes (Ind) stressed the need to see the PSNI as a new beginning.
He believed there was professional respect between the two forces, and that should be recognised.
Introducing the Bill, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said it gave a legal basis and framework for a more enhanced and structured co-operation between the two police services, by providing that personnel from one service might move and work in the other service in accordance with articles of the Irish-UK InterGovernmental Agreement.