Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raised promotions to positions within An Garda Síochána five weeks ago. The reason I did so is that, on 25 May last, 18 people were notified by letter of their successful selection for appointment to the rank of chief superintendent. The names were published in May and July and, in fact, the 18 individuals attended a chief superintendent management meeting on 15 June last. On 13 July last, ten of the 18 were appointed from the panel. I raised the matter with the Tánaiste on 14 November and raised it again in the Dáil on 15 November. The response I received was that it was a matter for the Policing Authority. However, in the aftermath of that, three further members from the panel were appointed. I understand there are at least five vacancies in the chief superintendent ranks in An Garda Síochána. The current position is that a number of chief superintendents are fulfilling two roles in An Garda Síochána. For example, one chief superintendent who is responsible for Garda professional standards also has responsibility for the Garda technical bureau, a chief superintendent who is responsible for the Dublin metropolitan region east also has responsibility for the entire Dublin metropolitan region, a chief superintendent who is responsible for crime policy and administration also has responsibility for the internal affairs branch and a chief superintendent who is responsible for the road policing and major event division also has responsibility for the Garda national traffic bureau. I am also informed that there are existing advertised vacancies for chief superintendents is the following roles: the central firearms licensing and statutory liaison, the Garda central vetting unit, the operational support unit and the Garda Reserve. In light of that, those vacancies should be filled.

See this speech in context