Garda Recruitment.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 January 2004

Thursday, 29 January 2004

Ceisteanna (62)

John Gormley

Ceist:

55 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to recruit gardaí at ranks other than entrance level. [2521/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, inform me that entrance to the Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admission and Appointments) Regulations 1988-2001.

Those regulations do not provide for Garda recruitment at ranks other than entrance level. However, the Garda Síochána (Police Co-Operation) Act 2003, which is not yet in force, provides for the appointment of members of the PSNI to certain ranks in the Garda Síochána and for the secondment of members of the PSNI to certain ranks in the Garda Síochána for up to three years. This legislation will allow members of the PSNI to compete for certain positions in the Garda Síochána above entry level.