Sandra McLellan
Question:37. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria for the appointment of peace commissioners across the State. [39765/13]
View answerWednesday, 25 September 2013
Questions (37)
Written answers
The Office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary appointment under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. An application for appointment may be submitted by a person who is interested in obtaining an appointment, or a third party may submit a nomination in respect of a person considered suitable for appointment. Nominations are generally received from public representatives. A local Garda Superintendent can also request an appointment in a particular area in the public interest.
There is no qualifying examination involved but appointees are required to be of good character and they are usually well established in the local community. Persons who are members of professions or employed in occupations which engage in legal work or related activities and members of the clergy are, as a matter of practice, not appointed because of their occupation and civil servants are usually only appointed where the performance of their official duties requires an appointment on an ex-officio basis. Persons convicted of serious offences are considered unsuitable for appointment.