Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the discussions that have taken place within the European Union regarding serving police officers to join neighbouring police services in an easy manner; and the stage the discussions have reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9896/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current procedure if a serving PSNI officer wishes to join An Garda Síochána; if there is adequate protocols in place to allow this and due recognition to the training and service of such officers; his views on making such transfers easier as occurs between other jurisdictions within the European Union. [9897/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current procedure if a serving British Metropolitan or other British police service officers wishes to join An Garda Síochána; if there are adequate protocols in place to allow this and due recognition to the training and service of such officers; his views on making such transfers easier as occurs between other jurisdictions within the European Union. [9898/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together.

Under current regulations on admission and appointment to the Garda Síochána, recruitment to the Garda rank is open to all citizens of the EEA, although there is no provision for serving members in police forces in other States to apply directly for posts at higher ranks.

Under an Intergovernmental Agreement on Police Co-operation between Ireland and the UK, however, provision is made for members from the Garda Síochána and the PSNI to apply for posts in the other Force at ranks above Inspector. Giving effect to this will require changes to the current Garda regulations, and my Department is in ongoing discussions on this with the Garda Commissioner, the Garda representative associations and the Northern Ireland Office. Under this Agreement, personnel exchanges between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI are already in place, and a Garda Superintendent will shortly be seconded to the PSNI.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serving members of An Garda Síochána who were previously members of another police service. [9899/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications received by the Garda Síochána from police officers serving in other jurisdictions who wish to join the Garda Síochána in the past ten years. [9900/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I regret that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily to hand. I will write to the Deputy as soon as it is available.