Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government is keen to ensure that this process is designed in such a way as to attract a broad range of interest, both from within this jurisdiction from within the Garda Síochána and from, and on which there has been much mention and speculation made as to the likelihood of success of, an external candidate. I have an open mind on these issues. I believe it is important that we have a broadly based pool of candidate from which to choose and I acknowledge the advice and expertise of the Police Authority in that regard.

The authority has expressed the view that potential candidates would be likely to expect an assurance that they could appoint a small personal team in order to ensure that they would maximise their input and leadership of the Garda service. I am open to this. It must, however, be borne in mind that senior roles in An Garda Síochána, and indeed across the public service, are required to be filled by way of a transparent, competitive and merit-based process. There is no intention to dispense in any way with this approach. Rather what the Government has in mind is that the next Commissioner could, on a temporary contractual basis, appoint a small personal team comprised of individuals who would provide advice to the Commissioner and who would be supportive of the Commissioner in the discharge of his or her duties. No doubt Deputy Sherlock would concur that the role of Commissioner is a demanding one, not only in view of the policing and security environment, but also in view of the major reform programme under way and having regard to the role and function of the Commission on the Future of Policing, which is due to report in September. In such circumstances, the appointment of a small team of advisers would be a valuable support to the new Commissioner in dealing with the challenges of leading the service at this critical point in time.

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