Members of ethnic minorities were yesterday encouraged by senior gardaí to apply to join the force following entry requirement changes aimed at increasing the ethnic profile of the Garda.
Potential recruits from a range of minority groups, such as the Irish Sikh Council, the African Cultural Awareness Project, along with members of the Polish, Russian, Chinese and Indian communities attended an information seminar on Garda recruitment yesterday.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell told the gathering it was vital that the force reflected the community it served.
"Within 10 years we're going to have second-generation teenagers [from ethnic minorities] growing up here. It's important when they look at the police force that it also represents them," Mr McDowell said.
"We have to plan for this, rather than ending up with a largely white, native force policing migrant communities who don't feel any bond with the police force."
Under changes to entry criteria, applicants no longer have to hold a qualification in Irish. Instead, they must prove they are competent in two languages, at least one of which must be English or Irish.
Applicants must also have been resident in the State for five years or more.
The Garda is to recruit an additional 2,000 gardaí over the coming years, with more than 10,000 applicants expected in the first wave of recruits.
The closing date for the first phase of recruitment is October 19th.
Assistant Commissioner Catherine Clancy said the Garda wanted to get the best possible recruits and hoped members of ethnic communities would form part of the new intake of successful applicants. She insisted, however, that the training process was as rigorous as ever.
"Nothing is changing as far as Templemore is concerned in terms of training. This isn't about rushing in ethnic minorities. It's about getting the best. Hopefully we'll have members of ethnic communities who will contribute to the best in Irish policing."
Juntao Xia (25), from north-eastern China, who worked as a shop assistant for several years, said he was encouraged by the the recruitment changes.
"There are more and more people from different countries here and it would be good to see them in the police force."