The Garda Representative Association (GRA) says the policing system will fall apart if the Department of Justice goes ahead with plans to cut the Garda payroll provision by €35 million this year.

Garda authorities will have to reduce officer numbers to 12,000 by December under the plan.

This is from the current level of 13,400.

The Garda Commissioner Martin Calllinan has previously said he would not like to see Garda numbers to fall below the 13,000 mark.

'Danger to the public'

In a statement the GRA says that Garda numbers will continue to fall until long after recruitment commences "because it takes considerable time to professionally train gardaí".

Should budget cuts reduce the number of gardaí further it is the view of the GRA that the public safety has already been compromised and they "are gravely concerned that our members have already been endangered".

They are also calling for an independent police authority to be established so that "politicians cannot dictate arbitrary reductions in policing resources".

President of the GRA is John Parker.

He says it will cost ordinary citizens money in the long-run and that the cuts will have serious implications on policing in Ireland.

Minister dismisses 'inaccurate' reports

However the Justice Minister says there is "absolutely no question" of Garda numbers being reduced by 1,500 this year.

Alan Shatter is rejecting suggestions there will not be enough money to pay more than 12,000 Gardai.

He spoke to Lunchtime here on Newstalk.