asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the procedure adopted in the making of promotions in the Special Detective Unit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Detective Unit Promotions.
51.
The procedures for promotion in the Special Detective Unit are the same as in the Force generally. Promotion up to and including the rank of Inspector is by the Commissioner, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations, 1960 and 1962. These are published Statutory Instruments. I would mention that, where the regulations refer to "selected" candidates, the selection is by interview board appointed by the Commissioner.
The appointment of Superintendents and officers of higher rank, is, by law, a matter for the Government.
Will the Minister say if there have been any departures from this in recent months, say, for the last six months?
No, I am not aware there has been any departure from this.
Would the Minister inquire whether in fact in the case of six recent promotions to sergeant, for which 24 applicants had already passed the required test, only two of them were in the six and that the four outside, for reasons best known to those above them, were included in the six?
There is provision in the regulations for the promotion of gardaí who have not passed the necessary examinations where they have shown particular ability in the performance of their duties over a period of years. This is to prevent the gardaí who may not have the necessary academic qualifications being debarred from promotion. This applies throughout the entire Force. The regulations in regard to the Special Detective Unit are the same as they are for the entire Force.
If they had displayed this ability over the years why did the Commissioner not know that? Why was he not aware of this fact? If the Minister is saying that there has been no departure from the usual regulations in regard to this will be not admit that there has been undue pressure to bear on the Commissioner and other high-ranking officers of the Garda Force in the last year as regards promotions in this country?
That is a separate question.
There has been no departure from the usual procedure so far as I am aware.
Will the Minister make sure there has been no departure? If it was already known that those people had extra ability why did the Commissioner not promote them?
I have no idea whether people were promoted under that section of the regulations. Deputy Blaney asked this question and I will look into it.
The Minister has stated there was provision and that they went outside the list recommended because those people had extra ability. If they had displayed this extra ability why did the Commissioner, who is more closely associated with those people than the Minister or anybody else, not know of the ability those people had?
This is beyond the scope of the question asked.
People may have been promoted in that way, but I do not know if they have. In any event, it is the Commissioner who promotes them.
Might I ask the Minister, in addition to inquiring whether such six appointments took place in the manner that I have suggested, whether in fact, instead of for outstanding ability displayed, it would be for services of a rather odious nature that they were being rewarded?
I have no idea of what the Deputy is referring to.
I am asking the Minister if he would inquire into those matters which are under the jurisdiction of his Department?
Did the Minister intimate that two-thirds of the Special Branch do not have the necessary academic ability to pass the examination for promotion to sergeant?
I am not saying anything of the kind, nor did I suggest or imply it. The Deputy well knows this.
The Minister said four out of the six were appointed because they had special abilities.