The Labour Party has called for the immediate establishment of an independent Garda complaints procedure.
This follows yesterday's report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture which claimed a considerable number of people have complained of "physical ill-treatment" while in Garda custody.
The Committee also criticised the current accountability mechanisms for gardaí, saying the Garda Complaints Board "enjoys little public confidence and is failing to contribute to the prevention of ill-treatment".
Labour Party spokesman on Justice, Mr Joe Costello, said the report illustrated "the absolute urgency" of the early introduction of an effective complaints procedure.
Mr Costello said: "It is now more than two years since the former minister for justice, Mr John O'Donoghue announced plans for the establishment of a Garda Inspectorate, which he said would have powers similar to an ombudsman."
"However, we are no nearer to knowing when this proposal will actually be operational," he said.
The Minister for Justice Mr Michael McDowell, today also expressed his concern at the report's findings.
Mr McDowell said that while the report showed most Gardaí carry out their work appropriately, it was worrying that a considerable amount of people had complained about their treatment.
The minister agreed with the call for a new complaints procedure.
The Government has said it will very shortly publish legislative proposals for an independent Garda Inspectorate.