asked the Minister for Justice if he will indicate the authority under which the recent decision to preclude many applicants from competing for vacancies in the Garda Síochána was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Síochána Applicants.
Appointment to the Garda Síochána is governed by Section 10 of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925, and the Garda Síochána (Appointments) Regulations, 1945 to 1951.
There was no recent decision involving any change in the method of selecting of recruits. Since the establishment of the force the selection of recruits has been left to the Commissioner, and recruits have never been selected by way of a written competitive examination.
Is the Minister not aware of the dissatisfaction which has been created in this instance by applicants not being called up for any type of interview and being given no right to compete: that there was an arbitrary decision made somewhere for some motive to exclude before the commencement more than 60 per cent of the applicants for the vacancies?
All I know is that the Commissioner is the person appointed by law to make the selection and there has been no departure from that. Of course there has been dissatisfaction because there were nearly four times as many applicants as vacancies. There was bound to be disappointment.
Is the Minister not aware that there was a considerable pre-judgment of the applicants before they got beyond the initial stage? Does he think that is in accordance with the best principle of a democratic institution looking for recruits?
The procedure always adopted was adopted on this occasion.
Is the Minister aware that in many cases those best qualified have been turned down?
I beg to give notice that, with your permission, Sir, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply.
The matter will be considered.