Seán Sherlock
Question:21. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff outside An Garda Síochána the new Garda Commissioner plans to bring to the role. [29496/18]
View answerThursday, 5 July 2018
Questions (21)
Written answers
Firstly let me say that I am pleased that the rigorous selection process conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of the Policing Authority has come to a successful conclusion with the recent decision by Government to appoint Mr. Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner. Mr Harris will take up office for a period of five years commencing in September.
This is the first occasion that the independent Policing Authority has exercised its function in relation to the filling of this important position. I thank the Authority and the Public Appointments Service for their intensive work over the past ten months on this process. The selection process was an open, international one, designed with the objective of attracting the widest possible pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the successful candidate would be tested against international standards in police leadership. I understand it worked well in attracting a strong field of high calibre candidates. All those who put themselves forward were subject to robust scrutiny by an independent expert interview board which determined Mr Harris to be the best person for the office at this time.
The incoming Commissioner will take up office at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine An Garda Síochána as an organisation. In addition, the start of his tenure will coincide with the publication of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland which will chart a new course for policing in the decades ahead. Mr Harris has the necessary ability and vital policing, security and change management experience required to lead An Garda Síochána at this critical juncture. He will bring his talents to the challenge of transforming An Garda Síochána so that it becomes a model of policing excellence, equipped to deal with the huge range of challenges facing police services worldwide. He can be assured of my support and that of the Government in his endeavours.
In that regard I have indicated previously that the Government is open to the incoming Commissioner appointing a small personal team. Bearing in mind that senior roles in An Garda Síochána, and indeed across the public service, are required to be filled by way of transparent, competitive, merit-based processes, what has been suggested by the Policing Authority and the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that the incoming Commissioner could, if he wished to do so, appoint a small number of individuals on a temporary contractual basis to support him. I have no doubt that the Deputy would concur that the role of Commissioner is a very demanding one, not only in view of the policing and security environment, but also in view of the major reform programme underway and the impending report of the Commission. In such circumstances, the appointment of a small team of advisers could be a valuable support to the new Commissioner in dealing with the challenges of the role at this critical juncture, but this will ultimately be a matter for him to decide.
I want to reiterate, however, lest there be any confusion, senior positions in An Garda Síochána, whether sworn or unsworn, will continue to be made in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act and the Regulations governing such appointments. What is in question here is the appointment of a small number of additional advisors on a contract basis to support the new Commissioner, if he so wishes.
I look forward to working with the incoming Commissioner on our shared objective of ensuring the security of the State and the safety of the public. I am sure that the Deputy and all members of this House will join me in wishing Mr Harris every success as Commissioner and assuring him of our support as he takes on this most challenging of roles.