Austin Deasy
Ceist:20 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice the level at which appointments in the Garda Síochána are made by the Government; and if she intends changing the system of appointments.
Written Answers. - System of Appointments in Garda.
The power to make appointments to the rank of Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and Garda surgeon in the Garda Síochána is vested in the Government by virtue of the provisions of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925.
The procedures to be followed in the case of Garda appointments up to and including the rank of Assistant Commissioner are governed by the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations, 1987 (S.I. No. 39 of 1987), which were made by the Minister for Justice under the provisions of the 1925 Act. These regulations contain the rules in relation to the qualifying criteria, interview panels, and provide for the establishment of a Promotions Advisory Council to keep the regulations under review and advise the Commissioner generally in relation to competitions and the system and procedures for promotion.
Once the selection procedures under the regulations have been complied with, promotions to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are made by the Commissioner. In the case of appointments to Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner, the Commissioner's function under the regulations is to recommend the successful candidate for appointment to the relevant position by the Government.
The Commissioner has no statutory function in relation to appointment to the position of Deputy Commissioner or, in relation to the appointment of his own successor. It would be appropriate that he be consulted, however, about these appointments.
I have no proposals at the present time to change the provisions of the 1987 Promotion Regulations, which were drawn up following consultation with Garda representative bodies under the conciliation and arbitration process. It would be necessary, in my opinion, to wait until longer experience of the operation of these regulations has been gained before considering any alterations.