Garda row over deputy commissioner role paused after application deadline extended
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is set to retire within the next 10 months. Picture: Sam Boal /Collins
An unprecedented row between senior gardaí and the Government over the vacant position of deputy commissioner has momentarily paused after the deadline for applications for the job was extended by a week.
Public Jobs, which is running the competition on behalf of the Policing Authority, updated its advertisement for the position during lunchtime on Thursday — extending the deadline from today to next Thursday.
The brief extension follows a concerted effort by six assistant commissioners — the third highest rank in the organisation — for a deferral of the deadline and the provision of information on resolving a tax issue.
These senior officers have made it clear they will not apply until that information is made known.
It is believed the assistant commissioners anticipated a longer postponement, with some sources believing it is an effort by the authorities to “force their hand”.
It is understood that, so far, no steps have been taken to provide the required information to the commissioners on the tax issue.
The six assistant commissioners have claimed they are being "discriminated" against, as they would face a significant tax burden if they got the job, something which other applicants would not face.
They wrote to Justice Minister Helen McEntee last week urging her to defer the deadline.
This was followed on Tuesday by similar letters sent to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and the Policing Authority.
On Wednesday, the six assistant commissioners wrote again to Ms McEntee.
The understands there has been a lot of activity going on in the background in the last 24 hours to try and take the heat out of the issue.
While formal comments have been sought from the Policing Authority and the Department of Justice on the deadline, none have been forthcoming.
The Government advertised the position for a second time at the end of July, with a closing date for applications 3pm today.
An attempt last year to fill the position, the second highest rank in An Garda Síochána, failed after the country’s eight assistant commissioners, and the bulk of its 47 chief superintendents, did not apply for the post.
Of those people that did apply, none were recommended by the Policing Authority to the Government.
The six internal assistant commissioners — the remaining two are former PSNI officers — have consistently claimed that they would be hit with an unfair tax burden compared to other candidates.
They have claimed this “discriminates” against them, with estimates the tax burden could be between €100,000 and €500,000.
The Government decided not to fill the position of deputy commissioner last October and in December the finance minister set up an external examination of the tax issue.
The assistant commissioners said Ms McEntee had made assurances the position would not be filled until the issue was resolved.
The external review has completed its work and has sent its report to Finance Minister jack Chambers for a decision — but no decision has yet been made known.
On July 26, the position was advertised again and the deadline was set for today 3pm.
During lunchtime Public Jobs updated the ad, changing the deadline to next Thursday.
In response to questions, the Policing Authority said as set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the selection competition for Deputy Garda Commissioner is undertaken by publicjobs and thus publicjobs will determine whether it is appropriate to make any changes to the competition closing date.
"The Authority has been aware of the concerns raised in relation to the personal taxation status of certain individuals for some time. The matter has been considered on a number of occasions collectively by the Authority. While appreciating the concerns, this is not a matter in which the Authority has any role.
"The Standard Fund Threshold has universal application across the public and private sectors and taxation matters are dependent on individual, personal circumstances. The salary for the role of Assistant Commissioner applies equally to all, and taxation matters are dependent on the individual.
As would be expected, due to the varying statutory responsibilities of the Authority, publicjobs and the Minister in relation to the nomination of a person to government for appointment to the role of Deputy Commissioner in the Garda Síochána, there has been ongoing communications between the various officials."
Similar questions were sent on Thursday to the Department of Justice and a reply is awaited.
Sources have described the level of trust between the assistant commissioners and Ms McEntee as “low”.
Commissioner Harris, who received a two-year extension, is set to retire within the next 10 months.
The two deputy commissioners would traditionally be strong contenders for the position.
There is some concern among senior ranks of the organisation if an external candidate (not including Irish-born former PSNI officers) is appointed to the deputy commissioner position.
The rank of Deputy Commissioner Policing and Security became vacant with the retirement of Anne Marie McMahon.
Afterwards, Deputy Commissioner Strategy and Governance, Shawna Coxon (a former Canadian police boss who joined two years ago) was moved over to a renamed role of Deputy Commissioner Operations.
The security role was removed with the assistant commissioner Security & Intelligence, reporting directly to Mr Harris.
The DC Strategy and Governance role is now described as vacant on the Garda website.
It is not clear which of the two deputy commissioner roles is being advertised, although the advert said one of the two positions was vacant.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
