Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible, under section 33 of the Act, for determining the deployment of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the selection process for Garda drivers for Government Ministers is primarily conducted via competency-based interviews of eligible applicants. A short-listing process may be employed prior to interviewing if the numbers of eligible applicants are such as would make it impractical to interview every candidate.

Prior to appointment, applicants who have been successful at interview are also subject to a clearance process which includes a review of career details, to include records of non-effectiveness through illness, particulars of favourable records and particulars of unfavourable records.