The Minister for Justice has said the Government is to bring in new legislation on sexual offences.
Alan Shatter made the announcement at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, which is seeking tighter controls on sex offenders.
The conference opened in Co Wexford earlier today.
Officers want convicted sex offenders to supply additional information, including photographs, to gardaí in the areas where they live.
The AGSI has also demanded an independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the escape from prison of Martin McDermott, who was serving seven years for killing Garda Gary McLoughlin.
However, Minister Shatter rejected this and said steps had been taken to ensure such a mistake would not happen again.
Garda sergeants and inspectors from Co Wicklow will seek an increase in the number of armed gardaí at the conference.
AGSI delegates say they want the number of armed gardaí either maintained or increased to counter the fall in garda numbers.
There will also be a call for a witness management strategy for criminal trials.
AGSI delegates will also call for assurances from the Garda Commissioner that no more garda stations are closed, after 29 closed at the weekend.
Elsewhere, victim support group One In Four welcomed the call for a stricter regime for sex offenders released from prison.
One in Four said its experience and the findings of international research show that the best way to keep children safe is to actively manage sex offenders on their release into the community.
