Mr. Drew Harris:

The appointment of the chief super is probably the easier question to answer. We will seek to make that appointment as soon as possible. We actually expect to get the clearance for it next week.

In respect of the divisional structure going forward, no, I really cannot give assurances at all.

We are working through a process, as required by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, towards a new operating model which is, in effect, a new divisional model. Our intention is that the divisional model, headed by a chief superintendent, will become the principal unit of providing policing in Ireland whereby a divisional commander should have sufficient resources that, by and large, he or she would be able to deal with the majority of what happens in his or her division. It is also the intention to ensure that there are sufficient numbers, including supervision sergeants and inspectors, to make sure that the local service is properly delivered, supervised and supported. We have not come to the end of our considerations on that. We are to produce a new plan in 2019 on implementation towards the end of this year and into 2020, but at present I cannot give assurances in respect of what the divisional structure will look like as we move forward.