Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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716. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the number of peace commissioners for the district of Thurles, County Tipperary is sufficient. [26869/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that Peace Commissioners are appointed under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. The Office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary appointment and Peace Commissioners receive no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. An application for appointment may be made by a person on their own behalf or a nomination for appointment may be made by a third party in respect of a person considered suitable for appointment. Nominations are generally received from public representatives, and a Garda superintendent may sometimes request an appointment in his or her district as the need arises in the public interest

The appointment of a Peace Commissioner is entirely at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and Equality and the fact that an applicant or nominee may be suitable for appointment does not, in itself, provide any entitlement to appointment as a Peace Commissioner because other factors, such as the need for appointments in particular areas, are taken into account.  These regional requirements are kept under review.

It has been reported by the Gardaí that there are sufficient Peace Commissioners to cover the requirements in the Thurles area.