Peace Commissioners

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Questions (1079, 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1079. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the steps that a person should take in order to become a peace commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13282/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1080. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the criteria which would prohibit a person from becoming a peace commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13283/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1081. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice where a County Tipperary resident may acquire a list of all Tipperary appointed peace commissioners and their contact details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13284/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1082. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if a peace commissioner is appointed in the Mullinahone area of County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13285/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1083. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the number of peace commissioner applications received and pending approval from persons resident in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13286/23]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1084. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice how frequently the list of peace commissioners is updated to reflect commissioners who have died, who have retired, surrendered or been removed from their peace commissioner appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1079, 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083 and 1084 together.

Peace Commissioners are appointed and may be removed from that appointment by the Minister for Justice under section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924. The office of Peace Commissioner is an honorary one for which there is no remuneration or compensation by way of fees or expenses for their services. A person who wishes to be considered for the position of Peace Commissioner can make an application to my Department or a third party may nominate an individual for the position. Applications can be sent to Office of the Minister for Justice, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.There are no qualifying examinations or educational standards required to be appointed as a Peace Commissioner but applicants are required to be a person of good character. Most Peace Commissioners are well established in their local community. Anyone who has been charged with or convicted of a serious offence will not be considered for appointment. Solicitors, people involved in the administration of criminal justice such as, Gardaí and employees of the Irish Prison Service, and members of the clergy are, as a matter of practice, not appointed because of their occupation.

The fact that an applicant or nominee may be suitable for appointment does not, in itself, provide any entitlement to appointment as appointments are made entirely at the discretion of the Minister for Justice. Factors such as the need for appointments in a particular area and regional requirements are also taken into account.

My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and while every effort is made to keep the Roll up to date, the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground. This is because the Department is reliant on the Peace Commissioners themselves and other interested parties to advise of changes in circumstances of individual Peace Commissioners since their appointment. My Department is currently updating the Roll of Peace Commissioners.

Anyone wishing to avail of the services of a Peace Commissioner can contact their local Garda Station who may be able to provide the name and address of a Peace Commissioner in their area. Alternatively, they may contact the Peace Commissioner Unit in my Department which is pleased to assist individuals who require the services of a Peace Commissioner. The Peace Commissioner Unit in my Department can be contacted by emailing [e-mail] or [e-mail].

I can inform the Deputy that there are currently six Peace Commissioners in the Mullinahone District. Currently, five applications to be appointed as a Peace Commissioner are being progressed by my Department from persons with addresses in County Tipperary. I have attached, for the Deputy’s information a list of Peace Commissioners in the Mullinahone District.

The Deputy may wish to note that it is intended to review and reform the role of Peace Commissioners. This review will include consideration of grounds for appointment and removal of an individual Peace Commissioner.

Sub-district	Name
Mullinahone	Gleeson, James
Mullinahone	O'Brien, David J.
Mullinahone	O'Dwyer, James
Mullinahone	Quirke, Roger
Mullinahone	Reilly, John Joseph
Mullinahone	Reilly, Martin

Question No. 1085 answered with Question No. 1054.