New Chair to be appointed to Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Minister pays tribute to outgoing Chair

The Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, today briefed the Cabinet on the process to select the next chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). The appointment will arise when the term of the current Chair, the Hon. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, expires in December.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission consists of three members who are appointed by the President on the nomination of the government and following resolutions in the Dáil and Seanad. Under the Act, the government must be satisfied that the person under consideration for appointment has the appropriate experience, qualifications, training or expertise for appointment.

Expressions of interest will now be sought from serving and retired judges of the superior courts following which an independent selection panel will consider applications and recommend a person suitable for appointment by the President.

The appointment of the next Chairperson of GSOC comes at a pivotal time for this vital organisation as it prepares to transition to a new organisational structure under the recently published General Scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill. The appointment will be for three years or until such time as the new organisation is established under the Bill.

Minister Humphreys thanked Ms Justice Ring for her significant contribution as chair of GSOC since 2015. The Minister said that over the last six years, Judge Ring has served with great commitment and dedication to the organisation.