Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
253. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the current practice whereby names of the Minister’s appointees are forwarded by the Garda Commissioner for appointment by her is a breach of regulation 12 (2) of the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006. [46841/14]
View answer254. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views that the practice whereby the Garda Commissioner forwards the names of the ministerial appointees in contravention of the regulations nullifies and negates the whole purpose of the 2006 promotion regulations to have an independent, open and transparent promotion process in An Garda Síochána. [46842/14]
View answer255. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure that the practice whereby the Garda Commissioner forwards to her the names of two members to be appointed by her ceases forthwith and that all future appointments to Garda promotion boards will be made by her from the established panel, independently by her and without any reference, formal or informal, to the Garda Commissioner. [46843/14]
View answer256. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views that the acceptance by her Department of the current practice whereby the Garda Commissioner nominates the ministerial appointee to the Garda promotion board is a clear example of the abdication of the oversight role of her Department and its dysfunctional administration as contained in the Toland report in its reference to Garda Síochána; and the action she plans to take. [46844/14]
View answer257. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views that the appointment of the same personnel as members of the Garda promotion boards on an annual basis since the establishment of the panel as provided for in the 2006 promotion regulations is bad human resource management practice and should cease forthwith. [46845/14]
View answer258. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will ensure the new suitable personnel are appointed to the interview panel as provided for in the 2006 regulations as a matter of urgency, so that suitably qualified personnel can be appointed to promotion boards by her in the forthcoming promotion competitions for chief superintendent, superintendent, inspector and sergeant. [46846/14]
View answer259. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of appointments to Garda promotion boards she has made since the appointment as Minister where the names of the ministerial appointees were forwarded by the Garda Commissioner. [46847/14]
View answer260. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views there has been serious disquiet and concern regarding the appointment of personnel to Garda promotion boards in recent years and that cronyism is rife in the Garda promotion process; and the steps she is taking to allay that concern. [46848/14]
View answer261. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to transfer responsibility for the administration of the promotion competitions in An Garda Síochána to the Public Appointments Service in view of the lack of confidence in the system. [46849/14]
View answer262. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of responses in the recent Garda portal survey which raised concerns or made comment on the promotion and lateral appointment processes. [46850/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 262, inclusive, together.
I am currently reviewing the range of issues referred to in your questions and where relevant I have requested responses from the Garda Commissioner. I will respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.
