The legislation provides for the creation of a new Policing and Community Safety Authority, replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate, as well as the restructuring of GSOC into Fiosrú – the Office of the Police Ombudsman.

It also provides for a new Garda Board, a new Office of the Independent Examiner of Security Legislation, and a new National Office for Community Safety.

Announcing the commencement date, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “This Act was developed to underpin the important recommendations made by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

“It provides an extensive new framework for policing and community safety aimed at improving the performance and accountability of An Garda Síochána and ultimately supports their vital work to keep Ireland safe.

“I am very pleased that we are now able to introduce the necessary changes to ensure that we have a professional, modern, and effective police service equipped for the times in which we live, but which also respects and upholds the traditions of service to the public and community policing ethos on which it was founded.”

The National Office for Community Safety will lead the rollout of the government’s new strategy for improving community safety and will work closely with the local community safety partnerships (LCSPs) being established.

All of those who were appointed to the new bodies last October will formally take up their roles next week.

Former Court of Appeal president Mr Justice George Birmingham will also take up his post as the first independent examiner of security legislation on the same date.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “The independent examiner of security legislation is an entirely new role created by Part 7 of the Act.

“The role, which provides for the independent review of security legislation and security arrangements, represents a significant development in strengthening Ireland’s national security infrastructure.”

A suite of secondary legislation required to support the commencement of the Act was approved by ministers yesterday.

“As the Act repeals the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in its entirety, some existing secondary legislation under that Act falls and must be replaced, including the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“In line with the 2024 Act, these are being replaced by new regulations governing performance, conduct, and standards of professional behaviour of Garda members.

“Additional new regulations will also come into operation under the Act to provide for the new statutory arrangements on the recruitment and appointment of Garda members to ranks at sergeant and above, and the delegation of the Garda Commissioner’s functions to other senior Garda members.

“Detailed engagement has taken place with Garda management, other relevant agencies and the Garda representative associations.

“I am satisfied that the regulations strike the correct balance between safeguarding the rights of members and ensuring that the conduct system is modern, efficient and effective.”