The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has warned garda representative associations that a campaign against the proposed garda reserve could backfire on them.
The Minister was speaking in Chester where he and Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy are meeting reservists and attending a conference of the special constabulary.
Mr McDowell said a garda reserve is now enshrined in law and members of the gardaí must uphold the law.
Recruitment for the garda reserve is due to begin in May.
