A new uniform is being rolled out for all gardaí, sergeants and inspectors.
Over 13,000 gardaí will in future wear polo shirts, two-tone soft shell and waterproof jackets and operational trousers.
The uniform will also be clearly badged with the Garda crest for the first time.
Gardaí will no longer wear shirts and ties, except on formal occasions, but will continue to wear the distinctive Garda peaked cap.
The new uniform is being delivered to stations all over the country from today.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is expected to announce a formal "go-live" date for when the new uniform becomes the operational uniform for daily duties, currently expected to be next month.
The uniform for senior officers, from Superintendent up to Commissioner, remains the same.
The delivery of a new Garda Uniform to frontline operational Gardaí commences this week.
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) February 7, 2022
This new operational uniform will be delivered to over 13,000 uniform members of An Garda Síochána
More Info: https://t.co/isSIFhloVQ pic.twitter.com/OeYzsKDBGU
It has been in the design phase for years and trialled in Garda stations in Wexford, Tallaght and Limerick
It cost €10 million to deliver and another €10 million over the five-year term of the contract.
The new uniform is a two-tone hi-viz yellow and dark blue soft shell and waterproof jacket which will replace the current fleece, a blue polo shirt to replace the shirt and tie, base layers and operational trousers to include pockets as in cargo pants.
A key finding of the internal Garda Cultural Audit in 2018 to which over 6,500 garda contributed, was a desire from frontline gardaí for a new, practical operational uniform.
Garda headquarters said the new uniform is contemporary, and incorporates elements such as durability, protection and functionality.
This is only the third time in its 100 year history that gardaí have formally upgraded their uniform.
However it has previously updated it to embrace the wearing of official headwear for religious and cultural reasons and beliefs including Turban, Kufi, Topi, Kippah, or Hijab.
The new uniform has been developed by the Uniform Committee in close collaboration with gardaí nationwide.
Commissioner Harris said it will preserve the unique identity of members of An Garda Síochána and the colours most recognised by the public.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has welcomed the introduction of the new uniform, which the association said it has advocated for over the last number of years.
General Secretary Antoinette Cunningham stated the AGSI has sought the introduction of a practical, fit for purpose uniform for frontline personnel. It also welcomed the retention of the traditional uniform for formal occasions.
The Garda Representative Association welcomed the new uniform, with its President Frank Thornton saying the feedback from the divisions where it has been piloted has been positive.
"The Garda Representative Association would welcome any moves to make our uniforms more comfortable as well as practical, progressive and suitable to modern policing," Mr Thornton said.
