More gardaí should be stationed abroad to tackle cyber crime, fraud and organised gangs, according to the Garda Commissioner.
Drew Harris made the call at a meeting of the Policing Authority earlier.
15 members are currently based overseas, mainly working with the UN, Europol and Interpol in the UK, Cyprus, France, and Spain.
Commissioner Harris said it's essential more gardaí are based overseas.
He observed: "It's very evident - given the threat from terrorism, from organised crime and increasingly from cyber crime as well - that we need to expand our presence overseas.
"A tried and trusted way of doing that is through the liaison office process.
"We want to expand into the Americas, but also the far east as well."
He explained that the process is "essential" to combat wide-scale international fraud, as well as organised crime gangs.
In terms of UN duties, a number of gardaí are currently serving in Cyprus with UNFICYP.
Commissioner Harris said that duties with the UN are "very positive".
He explained: "The individuals who come back from that... it always has positive impact on them.
"Our involvement is very much appreciated throughout the world, so that's something we want to see grow."
