Some 111 civil actions have been taken against the Garda Síochána this year, the Minister for Justice has confirmed.
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Mr McDowell said 37 cases related to alleged assault, while 22 were for alleged unlawful arrest.
Of the cases that were settled, the majority were settled for less than €25,000, the minister said.
In 2002, there were 142 such cases taken against the Garda, of which 34 were for alleged assault and 38 for alleged unlawful arrest.
Mr McDowell said the Garda Commissioner had informed him that the incidents that had resulted in successful claims had been examined with a view to reducing or eliminating such claims in the future.
The minister also told the Dáil one of the main measures in the new Garda Bill was the establishment of a new disciplinary body for the force which would "address public confidence".