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The Government has today made appointments to the positions of Assistant Commissioner, Chief Superintendent and Superintendent in An Garda Síochána.

One appointment has been approved to the position of Assistant Commissioner, three appointments have been approved to Chief Superintendent and seven to Superintendent.

The appointments are required to fill existing vacancies at National, Divisional and District level.

Speaking after today’s Cabinet meeting the Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald said:

Having consulted with the Garda Commissioner, I proposed to Government that the 8 existing vacancies in the senior ranks be filled immediately and the Government has decided to make those appointments as well as a further three consequential appointments.

These appointments are within the agreed strength of the Employment Control Framework and the Policing Authority has been consulted on them.

The establishment of the Policing Authority represents one of the most significant and progressive reforms to the sector over recent years. We are absolutely committed to the Authority assuming its functions in relation to senior appointments. The intention is to bring the Regulations to Government for approval in December and that the Authority will take over the appointment function by 1 January. Once this is done it will be a matter for the Authority to undertake its own selection competitions for appointments to these ranks.