Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

You have to demonstrate that you have competency and proficiency in the language. It is not a test but you have to demonstrate that you have proficiency. With regard to the changes on the promotion side of things, the new regulations were informed by the Garda Inspectorate report from 2015 which recommended that a new process be put in place. I appreciate the regulations represent a fundamental change from what was there before. As the Chairman has said, candidates had to go through a particular test. This is the first time a process has been held through the Public Appointments Service. It is quite a departure from the previous system. As part of the consultation with the Commissioner and the Policing Authority on drafting these new regulations, it was decided the foundation programme would include specific requirements for recruits to learn and to demonstrate their competency, as I have outlined. They are required to complete the training that forms part of the programme. It was agreed that a requirement for a separate proficiency test was essentially unnecessary. The main focus is on candidates' skills and ability to carry out their work so, once they have demonstrated that they have Irish, the focus is on their ability to carry out their work and the specific skills and requirements they need for that particular promotion. I appreciate it is a departure from what was there before but this was done in consultation with the Garda Commissioner, the Policing Authority and having regard to recommendations in the 2015 report, Changing Policing in Ireland.