Jim O'Keeffe
Question:37 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice the reason appointments to fill vacant posts as Assistant Commissioner in the Garda Síochána were not made by the Government in 1987.
Written Answers. - Garda Síochána Appointments.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:48 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the procedures followed in the appointment by the Government of assistant commissioners in the Garda Síochána in January 1988; and in particular whether the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Promotions) Regulations were complied with and the way in which this was done.
I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 37 and 48 together.
The power to make appointments at the level of assistant commissioner is vested in the Government by virtue of section 7 (2) of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925.
The procedures followed in the appointment of all assistant commissioners since 12 February 1987 are those laid down in the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations, 1987 — Statutory Instrument No. 39 of 1987.
An appointment to an assistant commissioner vacancy was made in March 1987. Three other vacancies subsequently arose in the assistant commissioner ranks during 1987 — one in March, one in July and one in November. All three vacancies were affected by the public service embargo on the filling of vacancies which was extended to the force on 31 March 1987.
All three vacancies were filled on 22 January 1988 following a review of the overall management needs of the force and the acceptance by Government that certain key posts in the force would have to be filled notwithstanding the embargo.