Group attacks selection process of commissioner

THE expert group on Garda reform has criticised the manner in which the Department of Justice appointed the new commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

Four months before the commissioner designate’s Murphy’s appointment on September 5, the advisory group on Garda Management and Leadership Development raised its concerns.

In its final report to the outgoing Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy, the group criticised delays in finding a suitable successor.

It also recommended advertising for the post internationally to encourage applicants to pitch themselves at the highest international standards.

“Given the international standing of the post and its importance at a time when the Garda needs an exceptional quality of leadership the search should extend internationally.

“This does not in any way predicate the appointment of an external candidate but it does ensure that the successful candidate would have been tested against the international standards in police leadership,” it said.

Yesterday the Department of Justice confirmed it had not looked outside Ireland before promoting the then deputy commissionerMurphy.

A department spokesman said the Garda Síochána operated in a different manner to other police forces and experience abroad could not be transferred here easily.

“The appointment was not advertised internationally partly because of the scale of change currently under way within the Garda Síochána and the need for continuity of leadership.

“As well, the Garda Síochána would be different as a police force to others because it is responsible for intelligence and national security which makes us quite unique,” he said.

The director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Mark Kelly, said the recommendations of the group, led by former Senator Maurice Hayes, should have been acted upon.

“It is disappointing that the Government declined to act on the Hayes proposal that the search for a new Garda commissioner should extend internationally,” he said.

The group also said the search for the new commissioner should have begun last year to allow for a smooth transfer of power.

Mr Hayes’ report said that instead, the process was delayed because the Government considered it “undesirable” to begin interviewing candidates before the general election.

Among other criticisms in the Hayes Report was the progress towards civilisations.

The department said this had been addressed in the final months of the last government when the process to employing 600 civilian staff was accelerated.

The report said the Garda Síochána needed to embrace change more quickly and this included revising local management structures to mirror what would be expected in large-scale businesses.

It said there was not enough clarity on individual roles since the Garda commissioner took over the role of accounting officer for the force from the Department of Justice last year.

Yesterday the Garda commissioner did not indicate whether he will be replying to the report publicly.