Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As part of our comprehensive programme of justice reform, the Government has recently announced that, in future, the post of Garda Commissioner will be filled by way of an open competition, including with respect to the current vacancy. The comprehensive programme of justice reform also includes the proposed establishment of an independent Garda authority, which I hope to have up and running by the end of the year. These two reforms are among the most significant in the history of the State in regard to policing.

The competition for the current vacancy will be organised by the Public Appointments Service. The process will be transparent and will seek candidates of the highest calibre. As previously indicated, it is intended that the competition process will commence towards the end of next month, with advertisements being placed. The fact that the recruitment competition will be an open rather than a purely internal competition means that the recruitment process will take a number of months, so that the final selection will take place towards the end of the year, around the time of the establishment of the new independent Garda authority.

I am hearing different views on this. While some people are calling for the post to be filled sooner rather than later, it is important that this process take account of the establishment of the new Garda authority and its intended role in the appointment of senior Garda posts, including that of Commissioner. While the authority’s role in this regard will be subject to careful consideration during the ongoing preparation of the establishing legislation, the fact that the recruitment competition will proceed in parallel with the process of establishing the authority allows an opportunity for the emerging and developing body to inform the recruitment process.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The comprehensive reform programme is being overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform and is being further informed by ongoing consultations by both the Government and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. As part of these consultations, last Friday I hosted a consultation seminar on justice reform in Farmleigh, attended by more than 100 participants, including representatives of the Deputy’s office. The feedback from the seminar will inform the work of establishing the authority and decisions on its role and functions regarding matters such as appointment of senior Garda posts, including that of Garda Commissioner.

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