The Government has agreed to appoint a third Deputy Commissioner to An Garda Siochana as part of a raft of reforms to strengthen and support senior management in the force, it was revealed tonight.
Michael McDowell, Justice Minister, announced the new post which will be charged with driving changes in policing structures.
The temporary post will last for three years.
The case for a third Deputy Garda Commissioner was identified as crucial by the Advisory Group which reported on the implementation of the Garda Siochana Act 2005, and which was chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes.
They recommended that in order to drive major changes a dedicated management team was needed reporting directly to Commissioner Noel Conroy.
The new post was also suggested by a report under the Garda Strategic Management Initiative.
Mr McDowell said the appointment of a temporary third Deputy Garda Commissioner will enhance the continuity of management and oversight identified as a priority by the Hayes group.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has had his posting extended until June 2009, two years from his scheduled retirement in 2007.
The minister made this proposal in the context of the scheduled compulsory retirement within 12 months of Deputy Commissioner Murphy at the age of 60, and Garda Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Fitzgerald, both at the age of 65.
The Hayes Group had noted the problem of successive retirements of very senior officers and highlighted the importance of continuity of management and oversight.
The minister said the loss of the three most senior Garda officers in such a short period would be prejudicial to such continuity.
The Government has also agreed to a proposal by the minister to appoint a four-person Advisory Group to advise him and the Garda Commissioner on the issue of management and leadership development in the force.
It will run for 12 months chaired by Senator Maurice Hayes, with two members Emer Daly, former Director of Axa Insurance and Dr Michael Mulraney, Institute of Public Administration. A fourth member of the group will be announced shortly.