Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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268. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has carried out any research as to the minimum and maximum potential pensions cost to existing gardaí who apply for the job of Garda Commissioner. [24976/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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269. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be any change to the pension penalty being applied to gardaí who apply for the newly advertised position of Garda Commissioner. [24977/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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270. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has analysed any possible threat to national security of employing a candidate from outside the Garda force as the new Garda Commissioner. [24978/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 to 270, inclusive, together.

In line with section 26 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, I have requested publicjobs (the Public Appointments Service) to run an open competition for the role of Garda Commissioner.

The competition launched last week on Friday 9 May 2025; the deadline for receipt of applications is 29 May 2025. I hope to be in a position to make a recommendation to Government in late July with a view to the appointee taking up the role on 1 September next.

An Garda Síochána has a very proud tradition of service to the public over the last hundred years. The new Garda Commissioner will lead the organisation at a time of ongoing growth, change, and reform, as An Garda Síochána starts to operate under the provisions of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act which implements the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

Strengthening national security is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. We recognise that enhancing national security is essential for protecting citizens, maintaining public order, and ensuring the safety of our communities.

The Garda Commissioner plays a pivotal role in protecting Ireland's national security. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 assigns to the Commissioner the responsibility to advise the Minister on policing and security matters. The Garda Commissioner advises the Minister for Justice and the Government on all matters pertaining to the security of the State, including terrorism and other threats intended to subvert or undermine the State’s institutions or vital interests, and international security co-operation.

As part of the agreed criteria for this competition, Bord an Garda Síochána and An tÚdarás Pólíneachta agus Sábháilteachta Pobail and I have agreed to welcome applications from all people suitably qualified for this role irrespective of country of residence.

It is crucial that the most suitable person for the role takes up this position. The job specification sets out that people with senior level experience of policing, security and leading a large, multi-disciplinary organisation will be considered as desirable candidates. It is clearly a very significant and challenging leadership role.

It is important to recall that any external candidate considered for appointment by Government must be subjected to security clearance and they are notified of this in advance.

Every person who is appointed to An Garda Síochána is required to attest as a member and make a solemn declaration to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the State under section 46 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. These considerations provide strong reassurance of commitment to our nation.

The Standard Funds Threshold is part of the tax system which applies to all pension products or schemes for all public and private sector workers. The tax liability is based on the value of the pension.

In 2023, the then Minister for Finance directed a review of the SFT and following consideration and publication of that review, the Government decided last September to introduce progressive increases to the SFT starting in 2026. The Government also decided to conduct an independent evaluation of the age-related valuation factors proposed in the independent expert’s report for consideration by the Minister for Finance and Government as part of Finance Bill 2025.

Since my appointment, I have engaged with the Minister for Finance who has confirmed that his Department arranged for the above-mentioned evaluation to be undertaken by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland. The Minister for Finance has further confirmed his intention to consider the outcome of the evaluation in the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill later this year.

Furthermore, the Department of Finance is establishing an SFT Examination Implementation Group to consider a number of specific aspects of the SFT regime and my department has nominated a senior official to that Group.

I would encourage any eligible candidates to apply, be that serving Garda members or suitable applicants from outside the organisation.

The most important thing for the Government, for An Garda Síochána, and especially for the public we all serve is that the best person for the job is appointed.

I am confident in the process we have put in place to identify the best person for the job and I look forward to recommending a suitably experienced candidate to Government in the coming months.