Details have been revealed of a new wide-ranging review into the operations of the Gardaí.

Frances Fitzgerald received approval for the review at this morning's Cabinet meeting.

She says the final terms of her new commission into the working and future of policing is not yet finalised - because she wants to consult with the opposition first.

But she has outlined her proposals for what the review should look at, following a Cabinet discussion this morning.

It includes the structures and management arrangements - including ALL functions carried out by Gardaí, including security and immigration work.

This could mean splitting the force in two, separating its policing and security/intelligence functions, which are carried out by separate bodies in other countries.

The review will also investigate the culture and ethos of policing, and the laws behind it.

The Tánaiste wants to look at best practice models in other countries - AND any previous reports which might not have been implemented.

That's a possible olive branch to the opposition, which says plenty of previous reports on these subjects have been commissioned, but left to gather dust afterwards.