The next Garda Commissioner will be selected by mid-July and should be in place by September 1st when Drew Harris retires, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said.
He also insisted the next commissioner will have to have policing experience even though the job advertisement states candidates with no policing experience can apply.
The Public Appointments Service‘s advert for the role states that “applications are welcomed from candidates of an appropriate calibre from policing, security or civilian backgrounds”.
However, Mr O’Callaghan told Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy that “a person with no policing experience will not be appointed, or recommended by me, rather, for the position of Garda Commissioner”.
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“We have a lot of excellent candidates within An Garda Síochána who should be putting their names forward for the position of Garda Commissioner,” Mr O’Callaghan told the Dáil.
“As it also such a prestigious job, at such a well-resourced and high-reputation entity within the world, I have no doubt that people from outside this country will be putting their names forward.”
A number of senior gardaí were reported to have ruled themselves out of the running for the position because of pension-related tax regulations and Mr Carthy said this had to be dealt with.
“It is very regrettable that we have a situation where senior gardaí are saying, if not on the record but they are letting it be known, that the position is not as they see it, tenable for them and those issues must be addressed,” he said.
The Minister agreed “that the standard fund threshold (STF) part of the tax system needs to be changed. It is my strong expectation that will happen.”
He acknowledged there was some concern within An Garda Síochána about the threshold above which tax liabilities accrue.
“But when you look at the package that is available, I am fairly satisfied and have a strong expectation that the full recommendations of Dr Donal de Buitléir will be implemented by Government in due course.”
An independent expert, Dr de Buitléir carried out a review of the STF on tax liabilities, with the Government partially implementing his recommendations afterwards.
The Minister told Mr Carthy the deadline for applications for the Garda Commissioner role is May 29th. He said interviews would then follow and he hoped to be in a position in mid-July to propose a name to Government for the job.
“If that is achieved in July, as I expect it to be achieved, it will mean that the new Commissioner will commence his or her post from September 1st.”
He said he wanted to see “an active and strong competition” for what is “a really important” role.
“We need an inspirational leader and somebody who recognises the important role that An Garda Síochána plays within our society,” Mr O’Callaghan added.
