It is worrying that at least 17 senior Garda posts have been left unfilled since last June and I am calling on the Minister Frances Fitzgerald and the Government to make these important appointments as soon as possible.
I note that the Minister said this morning that the responsibility for these appointments will be passed to the new Policing Authority before the end of the year and it is very important that these posts at senior managerial level are filled. We are talking about Assistant Commissioners and Superintendents including a vacant post in Castlerea at Superintendent level and other posts in the West of Ireland too. The wheels have to be put in motion immediately that these appointments be made. The management structure of the Gardai must be brought up to it’s full compliment.
Also, if we stay the way we are on the appointment of judges at the moment I can see a situation where someone will get away with a serious crime scot free because of the lack of judges around the country to hear cases. This should be dealt with immediately and I am calling on Minister Fitzgerald to step up to the plate on this matter as well.
