Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the policy reasons for her decision to retain ministerial control of policing in the same hierarchical arrangement, to include the political appointment and protection of both the Garda Commissioner and head of the policing authority; if she will set out in detail the process being applied to the two appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43823/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of the Independent Policing Authority is a major element of the comprehensive programme of justice reform which is being delivered by the Government. In that context the Government has indicated its intention that the new Authority should be in operation as soon as possible.

I have recently published the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Amendment) Bill 2014 which makes provision for the establishment of the Policing Authority and it is available on the website of my Department. The General Scheme has been referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for scrutiny in parallel with the priority drafting of the Bill which will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as practicable.

The General Scheme sets out a broad range of measures which are required for the introduction of a very significant level of independent public accountability on the part of the Garda Síochána for the delivery of policing services. In the case of the appointment of the members of the new Authority these measures include open selection competitions and nominations to be undertaken by the Public Appointments Service in respect of 8 of the 9 members. In addition the appointment of every member will require the prior approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has nominated Ms Josephine Feehily as the first Chairperson-designate of the Policing Authority. Ms Feehily is a woman of unimpeachable integrity and unquestioned ability who will bring a wealth of experience and competences, including in the area of investigations, to her new role. In her capacity as Chairperson-designate she will be involved in the final rounds of the open recruitment process of the new Garda Commissioner as well as the preparations to be made for the establishment of the Authority.

With regard to the appointment of the Garda Commissioner I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the relevant provisions of the General Scheme under which the Commissioner will be appointed by the Government. Such appointments will be made on the basis of a nomination by the Policing Authority following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service. In the circumstances the Deputy will appreciate that the role of the Government will be very restricted and that the procedures to be adopted will be transparent.