Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the new head of the Garda Inspectorate will take up their position; when the other members of the Inspectorate will be appointed; when it is expected that the Inspectorate will be functioning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the enactment of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in July 2005, the Secretary General of my Department requested the Public Appointments Service (PAS) to advise on the most appropriate recruitment process to source the best possible candidates for the members of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

The PAS proposed a model which involved using a private sector partner with experience in international recruitment and selection. Following a restricted procurement process and receipt of sanction from the Department of Finance the PAS engaged PriceWaterhousecoopers (PWC) as an Executive Search partner to assist them in a global search of common law jurisdictions to source suitable candidates for appointment of the Chief Inspector. As the position of Chief Inspector is the key position in the new organisation it was decided to recruit that person first.

On the 16th May, 2006, following a comprehensive selection and interview process, the Government appointed Ms Kathleen O'Toole to be the Chief Inspector of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. Ms. O'Toole was the candidate who scored highest in the selection process. Ms O'Toole will be involved in the recruitment and selection of the other two members of the Inspectorate.

The positions of the other two members of the Inspectorate, who will report to the Chief Inspector, have been advertised separately by PAS. This process again involves an international search and selection process organised by PAS/PWC. The Chief Inspector will be involved in the recruitment and selection of the other two members and has already met with PAS/PWC in this regard. It is expected that the shortlisting of suitable candidates for interview will take place later this month with interviews and selection to follow early in July 2006. I intend to bring proposals to Government for the appointment of these two other members in July 2006 at which stage I propose to make the necessary statutory order to set the establishment day for the Garda Síochána Inspectorate.