Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Appointments to Garda recruitment interview boards, including those for reserve members, are a matter for the Garda authorities and the Public Appointments Service. I have no function in appointing persons to such boards. In the particular case neither I nor the Commissioner was personally aware of the appointment. The Commissioner has informed me he would not have approved of the appointment if it had been brought to his attention. It is a matter for the Garda authorities and the Public Appointments Service to determine the appropriate vetting arrangements to apply in appointments to such interview boards and the procedures to consider all the available information on potential board members.

I am very anxious that nothing is done to affect the good standing of the Garda reserve in the eyes of the people and have communicated this view to the Garda Commissioner who shares my perspective completely and the Public Appointments Service. The very fact that this controversy has arisen underlines the need for care. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person referred to sat for one day on a two-person interview board in Sligo for the selection of trainee reserve members. It is not in keeping with best practice and, as far as the Commissioner and I are concerned, it will not happen again.

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