Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his welcome. I am glad to be back. We made good progress on this matter during the Second Stage debate last week. It is not a very long or technical Bill. The Bill is intended to facilitate movement within the public service. This set of amendments Nos. 1 to 8, and 13 to 18 together, is consequent on the substantial amendment, namely, amendment No. 1. The purpose of this group of amendments is to remove the Garda Síochána from the remit of the Bill. This is to reflect the view of the Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Garda Commissioner, that the authority for deployment and redeployment of members of the Garda Síochána, which currently vests in the Garda Commissioner under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, should continue to rest with the Commissioner alone.

This is to reflect the view of the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner that the authority for deployment and redeployment of members of the Garda, which is currently vested in the Commissioner under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, should continue to rest with the Commissioner alone. I have reflected on this and agree that is the correct course of action. We all jealously guard the right of the Commissioner to deploy members of the Garda Síochána operationally as he sees fit. It would not be appropriate for that to be paralleled by the work of the Public Appointments Service.