Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

Subsections (1), (2) and (3) provide for a three-person body to be appointed by the Government with the appropriate gender clause and the appointment of one of those persons as chief inspector. Subsection (4) sets out the selection criteria for members of the inspectorate. It covers the appointment of a senior police officer, serving or retired, from outside the State, the intention being that the Government will appoint suitable persons from other common law jurisdictions. Those persons may also fulfil the requirements set out in (4)(b). Similarly, persons from inside or outside the State, other than senior police officers, may also be appointed once they satisfy the relevant criteria. This will facilitate the appointment of suitable persons with law, management, finance, logistics, business etc. experience.

Overall, the intention is to give the Government a wide choice in the selection of potential members. As a matter of policy it is for consideration as to whether the first chief inspector should be Irish, particularly in view of the inspectorate's role before an Oireachtas committee. Subsection (5) provides that serving or past members of the Garda Síochána are not eligible for appointment as members of the inspectorate. Subsection (6) provides for the first appointments to the inspectorate to become effective on the establishment day. No provision is made for the appointment of a serving judge to the inspectorate.