Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of assistant Garda commissioners who have been appointed in 2016. [30488/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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160. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of chief superintendents who have been appointed in 2016. [30489/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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161. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendents who have been appointed in 2016. [30490/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together.

Appointments to the senior ranks of An Garda Síochána are a matter for Government in accordance with section 13 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The number of appointments made in 2016 to date to fill existing vacancies is as follows:

- Four persons were appointed to the rank of Assistant Commissioner on 24 May,

- 10 persons were appointed to the rank of Chief Superintendent on 13 July, and

- 18 persons were appointed to the rank of Superintendent on 13 July.

The appointments were made in accordance with the statutory framework as set out in the 2005 Act and related regulations. In particular, the appointees were drawn in order of merit from promotion panels formed on foot of competitions held by the Garda Commissioner in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006.

As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 contemplates the transfer of this appointment function to the Policing Authority. I am committed to the Authority assuming its function in relation to senior appointments as soon as practicable and with that in mind, my Department is working as a matter of priority on the preparations required to effect this transfer later this year, including the preparation of amendments to the 2006 and other related Regulations.