Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am curious as to the reason we are putting in caveats in terms of the age of applicants for this position, but we are open to change.I welcome that an independent appointments commission will be set up. Who will sit on the interview panel? Who will be the people with the competency and expertise? Will they be from inside or outside the jurisdiction? Will they have a set modus operandiand terms of reference stating who they may recruit?

This is a wonderful opportunity to renew An Garda Síochána. I wish the Minister and the independent body well in doing the work that is now ahead of us. The Minister said in his speech that it will take four months or so. It is important that we get it right. The process should be open and transparent. I commend the Minister on his stewardship of the Department. It is important that we thank acting Garda Commissioner Ó Cualáin for his work, and Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan.