merrion street

Yesterday evening I received a letter from the Chair of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland setting out the Commission's view on the timing of the appointment of a new Garda Commissioner and offering to provide advice in respect of building technical capacity in An Garda Síochána to support the reform programme currently being implemented.

In my discussions with the chair of the Policing 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. I know the Commission shares this objective and I am grateful for its input which I will carefully consider.

I particularly welcome the Commission's offer to provide detailed advice on building capacity in the short term.