Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2017
225. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether members of the Policing Authority or the policing commission should stand aside from their position on either organisation if they are applying for the job of Garda Commissioner. [40657/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it would be appropriate for a member of the Policing Authority or the policing commission to be a candidate for the post of Garda Commissioner. [40658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether members of the Policing Authority should be part of the process of preparing the competition for the new Garda Commissioner post if they are actually intent on applying for the post. [40659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 to 227, inclusive, together.
The Policing Authority under section 9 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) has responsibility for nominating persons for appointment by the Government to the post of Garda Commissioner, following a selection process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service.
This will be the first time that the new legislative process is utilised and I do not believe that it would wise to seek to exclude any candidate who meets the agreed eligibility criteria from the selection competition. As with all such competitions, high standards of probity, merit, equity and fairness must apply. In this regard the Authority, in accordance with good governance, has a Code of Conduct for Members and Staff of the Authority in place. The Code is available on the Authority's website(www.policingauthority.ie) and I would refer the Deputy to section 9 which addresses the management of potential conflicts of interest. All members and staff are required to sign a declaration agreeing to be bound by the Code. In the circumstances, I am satisfied that the Authority has appropriate processes and procedures in place to address any potential conflict of interest in the event that a member is considering putting themselves forward for the post.
I have consulted with the chair of the Authority about a process to identify and appoint a permanent Commissioner to An Garda Síochána. We agreed that it is crucial that a deliberate and considered recruitment process takes place so that the best possible candidate is appointed. In this regard, the Government will support the Authority in its work. The Commission on the Future of Policing has no direct role in the recruitment process but the chair has also written to me on behalf of the Commission regarding the timescale for the process and I am considering their advice in that context.
