Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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112. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements being made to recruit a new commissioner of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51382/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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113. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans in respect of the recruitment of a new Garda commissioner; and the timeframe to which he is working. [51391/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 112 together.

The Policing Authority under section 9 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the post of Garda Commissioner.

This will be the first time that the new legislative process is utilised and I have consulted with the Chair of the Authority about a process to identify and appoint a permanent Commissioner to An Garda Síochána. We are agreed that it is crucial that a deliberate and considered recruitment process takes place so that the best possible candidate is appointed following a selection process. We are also agreed that an overly long delay in the appointment of a new Commissioner would not be optimal for the organisation in terms of performance and morale.

As I have previously stated the Authority commenced the groundwork for the recruitment process some time ago in advance of the formal triggering of the statutory process by Government. I am advised that the Authority has undertaken some research into aspects of the appointment and I expect to hear from the Authority shortly in relation to its views. This preparatory phase has facilitated the Authority in engaging with my Department and with the Public Appointments Service, which will undertake the competition on behalf of the Authority, in relation to the process. Importantly, it has also allowed the Authority to explore with the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland how it sees the future role and responsibilities of the new Commissioner. As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive review of all aspects of policing in the State and has considerable experience and expertise. I very much welcome the willingness of the Commission to share its perspective with the Authority in advance of completing its work in September 2018. This will assist in ensuring that potential candidates have as much information as possible in relation to the future direction of policing in the State.

Having regard to the progress made by the Authority I would expect that the Government will be in a position to formally approve the Authority to invite the Public Appointments Service to conduct the selection process in mid-December. I would anticipate that it will take between four to six months to identify and appoint a successful candidate.