asked the Minister for Justice if in view of the dissatisfaction which exists among members of the Garda Síochána regarding promotions from the rank of sergeant to inspector he will consider reviewing the recent list for inspectors compiled in September, 1961; and if he will state the number of successful candidates (a) from the Dublin-Wicklow Division, (b) from the Cork Division and (c) from that list who had previous service in the Cork Division.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Promotions.
93.
The list referred to by the Deputy contains the names of Sergeants selected for promotion by the Commissioner to be Inspectors in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations, 1960, and there can, accordingly, be no question of reviewing the list.
The Regulations provide that promotion to the rank of Inspector shall be by selection of Sergeants who have become eligible for promotion by passing the prescribed promotion examinations. In September last there were 185 Sergeants who were eligible for promotion to the rank of Inspector outside the Dublin Metropolitan Division, and the number of expected vacancies for the next twelve months was 18. Accordingly, about one-half of the eligible Sergeants in each Division, that is, those who were reported by their local officers as being the most suitable for promotion, were called for interview by a Selection Board at Headquarters. The total number called for interview was 96. The Selection Board consisted of three Chief Superintendents, and its task was to select the 18 Sergeants most suitable for promotion. Service in a particular Division, either at the time of the interview or previously, was not a factor in determining suitability for promotion.