Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an assurance that a number of senior promotion ranks in An Garda Síochána that have been approved but not filled will be filled as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6956/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, yesterday I secured Cabinet approval for the appointment of 2 Assistant Garda Commissioners, 8 Chief Superintendents and 23 Superintendents, a total of 33 appointments to senior Garda ranks. All of the consequential vacancies at Sergeant and Inspector ranks will also be filled. I was very glad to secure the agreement of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Cabinet as a whole for such a significant number of appointments. In seeking these promotions, I was conscious of the need to enable the Garda Commissioner to fill key positions in the senior ranks, and to maintain both the investigative and also the management and supervisory capacity of the Force. With clarity now emerging on the final number of retirements expected by the end of this month, I will be discussing with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the case for filling outstanding vacancies in the senior ranks.