Mr. Joseph Nugent:

One reason is that work was needed to look at integrating Garda members and civilian members at similar ranks, and the terms and conditions that would apply to competitions that would need to take place. If I am a Garda sergeant competing with an executive officer for a position of higher executive officer, what terms and conditions, particularly in the sensitive area of pensions, would apply? That has taken too long to resolve but thankfully I think we are out of that space and are in a position to start.