The Garda Representative Association has said it is concerned about the close links between the proposed Garda Inspectorate and the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell.
The General Secretary of the GRA, PJ Stone, said it may be a dangerous route to take given that a former Justice Minister was found to have tapped telephones.
Mr Stone said the GRA supports transparency and accountability in the gardaí but was puzzled by the addition of another bureaucratic layer.
The GRA is to meet with Mr McDowell to discuss the inspectorate.
Earlier today, Mr McDowell gave details of a second unit within the gardaí to examine the work of the force.
Mr McDowell said the Garda Inspectorate would look at policy and operational strategies and insisted it would be different from the ombudsman, which will investigate complaints against members of the gardaí.
Speaking at the Garda College in Templemore, the minister said the creation of the inspectorate was in response to recommendations in the Morris Tribunal report. He added that it would increase the gardaí's openness and willingness to embrace change.
Labour Party Justice Spokesman, Joe Costello, criticised the proposal. Speaking on RTÉ radio this morning, Mr Costello said it was not clear how the inspectorate would liaise with the ombudsman.
He said the only way to ensure the job was done properly would be to have it under the auspices of a single, independent person with a large array of resources.
Legislation on the issue is expected to come before the Dáil in the autumn.
