merrion street

• Open competition will allow candidates from outside Ireland to apply
• Deputy Commissioner to assist Commissioner in implementing major reform agenda
• Public Appointments Service will undertake selection process at request of Policing Authority

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has today announced that a selection competition is to take place for the post of Deputy Garda Commissioner. The announcement follows Government approval for the Policing Authority to request the Public Appointments Service to undertake a selection competition for the post. The international competition will be open to members of An Garda Síochána and others, and open to persons irrespective of their nationality.

Minister Flanagan said:

This Deputy Commissioner competition will be open, so members of An Garda Síochána and other persons outside the service - including candidates from outside Ireland - can apply, irrespective of their nationality.  This will ensure that the strongest field is assembled and that the successful candidate is tested against the best available candidates from Ireland and elsewhere.

The Deputy Commissioner will assist the Commissioner in implementing a major strategic reform agenda within An Garda Síochána, to include improving governance and performance management, building managerial capacity and enhancing service delivery. An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority have agreed that it should be a requirement that candidates have experience of leading within a police service, including the operational command of senior police officers. The person appointed may be required to perform the functions of the Commissioner during any absence and may also be required to carry the responsibilities of the other Deputy Commissioner during periods where he is absent. 

The Minister added:

An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority recommend, and I agree, that candidates should have experience of policing including at leadership level. This is particularly important given the scale of the transformation that An Garda Síochána has embarked upon in response to the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Both myself and the Garda Commissioner are keen that this selection process should begin as soon as possible.

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) published its report in September 2018, outlining a clear vision and roadmap for strengthening policing, security and community safety. A wide-ranging consultation undertaken by the Commission led to the development of 10 principles for the future of policing in Ireland, and a comprehensive set of recommendations to meet not just current, but also future challenges. A Policing Service for the Future is a 4 year Plan (2019 – 2022) to implement the CoFPI Report which was developed in cooperation with stakeholders from across the public service and, in particular, with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) will undertake the selection process at the request of the Policing Authority following Government approval. The process will adhere to the normal standards for the selection of senior public servants but will incorporate selection methods tailored to the nature of the role.

It expected that the selection will be made following a competitive interview process and nominated by the Authority for appointment by the Government. Given that responsibility for policing and security in the State rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality, he will be represented on the selection board for the competition.