Dermot Gallagher, former General Secretary of the Dept of Foreign Affairs has just been appointed to the post of Chairperson of the Garda Ombudsman Commission.
Wonder what he will bring to the party ?

Sec General to Dept of Taoiseach. Kept on for an extra four years over his time by the government

General Secretary in Dept of Foreign Affairs where he workd closely with the present minister for Justice Dermot Aherne.

The appointment of the Chairman of the GSOC should be a transparent and open appointment and this certainly was not.

I cannot see how he can be a totally independent person taking into acount the posts he has held in particular the post in Foreign Affairs where he worked hand in hand with Dermot Ahern

The Government have had months to organise a democratic sytem to appoint a chairman for the gsoc as Justice Haugh had given them notice before his death that he was returning to the bench shortly.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties had expressed its disappointment saying he was appointed "without an open and transparent recruitment process"

I understand that the appointment has to be approved by the president and if that is so I hope she gives it due thought before she decides on what she will do.

cos our foreign policy has been so ethical and transparent recently.

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In Northern Ireland a Canadian does the job and gives some semblance of objectivity and independence to the system of supervision.

It is a shame that the Government has tarnished and compromised the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission by failing to adopt an open transparent and democratic process.
I believe their actions will impinge on the expectations of all decent law abiding civilians and Guardai alike.

I do not have any issues with Dermot Gallagher I am quite sure he performed very well in all his posts.

However the very non democratic and the very non transparent manner in which he was appointed to a position in a commission that requires absolute openness, independence and impartiality can only lead to a total mistrust in the whole commission.

Six months ago I would have been amazed at such actions but now I just have to ask again "when and where will it all stop?"

I fear that this action has undermined the independence of the GSOC

I do hope that the opposition will take this up in the Dail immediately and the President will exercise the proper option if it is required that the appointment has to be sanctioned by her

I agree with the issues over lack of transparency but will posters please stop involving the president in the matter. She is obliged to appoint whoever the Government nominate. End of story. She has no discretion in the matter. Involving her is merely a distraction.

I am sorry but I have to disagree with you. She does not have to rubber stamp everything.

As a representative of all the people and guardian of the Constitution she may convene a meeting of either or both houses of The Oireachtas where she may address or communicate a message on any matter of national or public importance.

I believe the appointment of the Chairman of the GSOC without a transparent and constitutionally democratic process is a matter of intense public concern.

She can also refer a bill to the Supreme Court for a judgment on its Constitutionality.

Of course she has to consult with the Council of State first.

I believe it is time the President started to exercise her powers in these matters
See the Green Party's view on the function of the President
The Council of State to be established on a statutory basis with a requirement for regular meetings / The President / Democratic Communities / Policies / Home - Green Party / Comhaontas Glas

The council of State was convened to discuss the Nursing home laws

RTÉ News: Council of State to discuss nursing home law

In 2007 The Council of State met to discuss the Criminal Justice Bill 2007.

It decided not to refer it to the Supreme Court

http://www.mcgarrsolicitors.ie/2007/...ncil-of-state/

Have a look here at the members of the council of State

Council Of State-Information from CitizensInformation.ie

Just wondering all GG's appointments in the past were open, transparent and silky smooth ?
Was he ever plucked from relative obscurity and sent to the top table and if so by whom ?

Thats absolute nonsense. Point me to where in the constitution it says the President may refuse to appoint anyone when recommended by the Government? Absolutely nowhere.

She HAS to appoint who the Government nominate. Addressing the Oireachtas has nothing to do with the matter. Neither does the Council of State or her constitutional functions in relation to referring certain bills to the Supreme Court.

Finally, the President appointing the members is nowhere in the Legislation. It is merely a matter of courtesy. The actual appointment is made by the Government.

Can we now get back to the substantive issue!!