A Government advisory body on racism has urged the Garda to review its decision not to allow a Sikh recruit to wear a turban as part of his uniform.
The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism is to write to the Garda Commissioner to seek a meeting to discuss a possible compromise on the issue.
The group's director Philip Watt said: "The Garda could compromise on this and there may be solutions which haven't been fully explored. We want to offer ourselves to help facilitate discussions between the Garda and the rest of the community to find a way out of the current impasse."
He said "absolutist policies" tended not to work and a range of compromises may be possible, such as allowing a turban in the Garda colours or using a smaller turban favoured by some police forces.
The consultative committee played a key role in helping to bring about changes in Garda recruitment aimed at attracting greater numbers from ethnic minorities, such as the removal of a mandatory Irish language qualification.
The Sikh Community of Ireland, meanwhile, says it is seeking legal advice on the matter and quested the Garda's stance is in breach of our equality laws.
However, Harpreet Singh, president of the community, said this was a measure of last resort, and the group wished to reach an amicable solution.
The issue came to prominence last week after a member of the Sikh community was recruited to the Garda Reserve, but was told he could not wear a turban.
The Sikh man is a qualified IT professional in his 20s who recently volunteered to join the reserve force. Male Sikhs are required by religion to cover their hair at all times with a turban.
A Garda spokesman defended the decision and said all members were required to wear the standard-issue uniform when on operational duties. The Minister of State with responsibly for Integration, Conor Lenihan, supported the decision
Also yesterday, the Green Party's equality spokesman, Ciarán Cuffe TD, called on the Garda to reverse its decision.
"I am calling on the Garda authorities to review this ruling and have written today to Commissioner Noel Conway requesting him to do so," Mr Cuffe said.
"I informed him that in my opinion it does not meet with international best practice. This decision is in complete contrast to the positions of other reserve forces, such as the London Metropolitan Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who allow Sikh members to wear their turbans. Police forces in the UK, US, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan and India have no problem in allowing the wearing of turbans."
The Garda's decision was also criticised by the London-based Metropolitan Police Sikh Association. It said the turban has been in use in the UK police force since the 1970s, reflecting the wider community the force serves.