GRA: Top jobs in gardaí based on social link

Garda top brass are often appointed because of “social connections” and not necessarily on merit, according to a group which represents rank and file gardaí.

The Government’s role in appointing senior Garda officers “undermines” the morale of members and the moral authority of the force, the Garda Representative Association has claimed.

The GRA has called for the establishment of a police authority to act as a buffer between politicians and police. Such a body, it said, would have full power over the appointment of senior positions.

In the Garda Review, the official GRA journal, association general secretary PJ Stone said the direct relationship between the Garda Commissioner and the Department of Justice was outmoded and contrary to best practice.

“To have no clear water between politics and policing is, at best, a remnant of simpler times. At worst it allows the political elite to gently steer investigations away from politics,” said Mr Stone.

“This continues to undermine the morale of the frontline members, as it also undermines the moral authority that underpins our ideals.”

The GRA leader said the ranks of commissioner, deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner, chief superintendent and superintendent were subject to Government approval.

“The rank of superintendent and upwards require political appointment — this direct relationship can give cause to cries of nepotism — it is not necessarily merit, but social connections that determines the careers of Garda managers,” said Mr Stone.

“This is decidedly antiquated, and would be criticised in any ‘banana republic’; but for it to continue to undermine the credentials towards a modern-thinking European democracy is untenable.”

He said the GRA had made representations to the department calling for a police authority since 1979, to no avail.

He said the Garda Commissioner was now accountable to the Oireachtas and therefore “subject to political intervention”.

Mr Stone said the police authority in Northern Ireland represented the community and acted as “a buffer between politicians and the police” and had full responsibility for the appointment of senior officers.

A Department of Justice spokeswoman said: “The minister rejects any claim that current Garda promotion selection is not based fully on merit and he is satisfied that the promotion arrangements which are in place for the force meet the highest standards and are in line with best practice.

“In this context, the minister would point out that competitions for Garda promotions take place under regulations made under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. These regulations specifically provide that all the relevant competitions must be conducted in a manner which is fair and objective.

“Towards that end, provision has been made in the regulations to ensure that every candidate for promotion is treated impartially. In particular, promotion selection is undertaken by promotion boards which consist of three persons, two of whom are selected from a list of independent and suitably qualified persons who are not members of the Garda Síochána.”