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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 1

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

58 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the decision by the Northern Ireland Police Authority to seek recruits for senior positions within the new Northern Ireland Police Service from within the ranks of the gardaí, there are any similar plans to recruit gardaí from within the police force in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3174/01]

The Report of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland (the Patten Report) recommended that, in order to broaden the pool of applicants for senior posts in the Northern Ireland police, senior officers in other UK police and in the Garda Síochána should be invited to apply for positions. This was with a view to doubling the proportion of Catholics in posts of superintendent and above.

The Police Authority for Northern Ireland has sought applicants from the Garda Síochána for a post of Assistant Chief Constable in the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations, 1988 (as amended) prescribe the criteria for recruitment of trainees and, following the requisite period of training, the appointment of members to the Garda Síochána. In this regard, it is open to any member of another police force to apply to join the Garda Síochána provided they have the necessary qualifications in terms of education, age etc. Of particular interest to persons normally resident outside the State, it should be noted that, unlike a number of other police forces in Europe, there is no citizenship requirement for entry to the Garda Síochána, i.e. the regulations do not require that an applicant for the Garda Síochána must be an Irish citizen.

The Deputy will appreciate that the recommendation in the Patten report arose in the context of the particular requirements which arise in relation to policing in Northern Ireland. While there are no plans at present to advertise senior positions in the Garda Síochána among other police forces, I can assure the Deputy that the separate recommendation in the Patten Report relating to exchanges between the Garda Síochána and the new Police Service in the North has been fully accepted by the Government and is being actively pursued.

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