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Drew Harris Brian Lawless

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris named as new Garda Commissioner

Nóirín O’Sullivan stepped down from her role in September 2017.

LAST UPDATE | 26 Jun 2018

PSNI DEPUTY CHIEF Constable Drew Harris been named as the new Garda Commissioner.

The role has been overseen by Acting Garda Commissioner Dónall O Cualáin since the former commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan announced her retirement in September 2017.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general direction and control of An Garda Síochána, and reports to the Minister for Justice.

To fill the role, Minister Charlie Flanagan had to consult with the chair of the Policing Authority about a process to identify and appoint a permanent successor to O’Sullivan.

Drew Harris is currently Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and a statement today said his appointment “follows an open, international selection process run by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Policing Authority”.

This is the first time that this new model for the appointment process, introduced in 2015, has been used.

The selection process was designed with the objective of attracting the widest possible field of candidates from a broad range of backgrounds to ensure that the successful candidate would be tested against international standards in police leadership.

Harris is a former RUC officer and received an OBE in 2010. He was previously responsible for the PSNI’s Crime Operations Department. He also held the ACPO Hate Crime portfolio for eight years, and led PSNI initiatives where he took responsibility for the management of sex offenders and the introduction of Public Protection Units.

He also spent a two-year secondment in the rank of Superintendent to Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Scotland. He holds a BA degree in Politics and Economics and an M St in Criminology.

The PSNI said that  Harris “has always been focused in protecting the vulnerable in society from serious harm”.

‘Rigorous selection process’

Announcing the appointment, Minister Flanagan said:

“I am pleased that the rigorous selection process by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Policing Authority has come to a successful conclusion with the appointment today by Government of Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner with the full functions of that role including safeguarding the security of the State. I thank both the Policing Authority and the Public Appointments Service for their intensive work on this important process over the past 10 months.”

He went on: “Drew takes up office at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine An Garda Síochána as an organisation. As we approach the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Síochána, the organisation is on the cusp of significant change. The expert Commission on the Future of Policing is in the final stages of its work; its report will chart a new model for Irish policing in the decades ahead. Drew will take up the post of Commissioner in September and this will come at a critical time – coinciding with the conclusion of the work of the Commission.”

Minister Flanagan said that he is “confident that Drew Harris has the necessary ability and vital policing, security and change management experience required”.

He will bring these talents to his leadership of An Garda Síochána – one of our most important institutions of state – along with a commitment to serving the public in the best tradition of the Gardaí.

“I very much look forward to working with Drew on our shared objective of ensuring the security of the State and the safety of the public,” said the Minister. “Drew can be assured of my support and that of the Government as he faces the challenge of transforming An Garda Síochána so that it becomes a model of policing excellence, equipped to deal with the huge range of challenges facing police services worldwide.”

On taking up the post, Harris will make a solemn declaration under section 16 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 including to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the State on the day that his appointment takes effect.

RTÉ has reported that Harris’ father, RUC Superintendent Alwyn Harris, was killed in an explosion in 1989 after the IRA planted a bomb under his parents’ car, parked outside their home near Lisburn.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has welcomed the appointment of Harris.

“We are particularly pleased to note that Mr Harris is both a police officer and one with proven senior operational and management experience on the island. Mr Harris has worked very closely with An Garda Síochána over many years and so is likely to better understand policing issues as they present themselves across the country,” the GRA said in a statement.

The GRA noted a number of issues that it says need to be addressed by the new Commissioner.

“From IT systems, recruitment, supervision, equipment and training down to the current garda uniform which is not fit for purpose, all stakeholders are fully aware of what needs to be done,” it said.

“The organisation of An Garda Síochána is a large ship that has been listless for some time now without a permanent captain. Government must now provide Mr Harris and his team with all the financial support to ensure that these critical changes are made without delay.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Harris is the “best person for the job”, adding that the government are delighted with his appointment.

When asked by the media about Harris working closely with MI5, Varadkar said as part of the recruitment process “background checks and security clearance that you would expect to be done in terms of due diligence” were carried out.

“We are absolutely confident the new commissioner will be loyal to the police and loyal to the State,” he said.

Acting Commissioner Ó Cualáin will continue to lead An Garda Síochána until then, and has notified the Minister of his intention to retire at that time.

Minister Flanagan said he wants “to acknowledge the leadership, integrity and commitment of Acting Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin”.

The Government is very grateful to him for his dedication to duty and effective leadership of the organisation since last September. He has been a steady hand at the tiller in difficult times for the organisation ably supported by Deputy Commissioner John Twomey. They have led An Garda Síochána to significant success in targeting and disrupting the abhorrent activities of criminal gangs over the past year while also making progress on the challenging reform agenda.

The Chairperson of the Policing Authority, Josephine Feehily welcomed the news and said that the process of selecting the new commissioner “was comprehensive and thorough, as befits the significance of the position”.

“It was very heartening for the Authority that very many candidates, both internal and external, presented themselves for consideration for such an important role,” she said.

She thanked and complimented the Public Appointments Service “for the professional manner in which the selection competition was carried out”.

Feehily said that the Authority, having reviewed the process and considered his experience, qualifications and expertise, “was very satisfied to nominate Drew Harris for appointment by the Government”.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin

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    Mute Anne
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:23 AM

    Eight fines…is that all?

    168
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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:41 AM

    The consequences of privatisation and price gouging.

    170
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    Mute MK76
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    Jun 20th 2018, 7:56 AM

    @Dave Doyle: The consequences of lack of personal or social responsibility by those who want the other guy to pay for everything.

    227
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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:14 AM

    @MK76: Not necessarily, most of the dumping in Donegal is done by the refuse collectors.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:22 AM

    @MK76: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/ireland-s-wild-waste-shows-us-just-how-filthy-lucre-can-be-1.3535326
    Where’s the social responsibility by overpaid price gouging waste disposal companies here?

    30
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    Mute johnp
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:31 AM

    @Dave Doyle: people can bring their waste to a council dump for a fraction of the cost of bin charges. Anyone caught fly tipping on a large scale should b jailed

    34
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    Mute MK76
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    Jun 20th 2018, 9:04 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Always someone else’s fault Dave. Just like always should be someone else picking up the tab.

    30
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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 20th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @MK76: Waste disposal shouldn’t have been privatised. Price gouging should be stopped. There’s always consequences when greed is rampant.

    29
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    Mute MK76
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:10 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Now you’re just littering this forum with shallow rhetoric.

    The folks who don’t want to pay privatized bin charges are the same folk who didn’t want to pay the local authorities to do it.

    So the core issue here is folk just don’t want to pay.

    22
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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @MK76: you pay either way, regardless.

    4
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    Mute Do the Bort man
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:25 AM

    @Stephen Devlin: Licensed ones, or lads offering to take away bags for €2 per bag on facebook?

    3
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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Jun 20th 2018, 11:14 AM

    @Do the Bort man: Licenced

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 20th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @MK76: Just stop with the BS. That’s pure drivel. Many people simply cannot afford to pay these exhorbitant charges. That’s the bottom line.
    You, like the rest of the FG fanboys, and government think people have bottomless pits to finance the consequences of the privatisation of public services. When they don’t, you try and blame them on the problems that occur as a result of government policies. All of the social problems that exist in the country are as a result of government policy.

    10
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    Mute MK76
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    Jun 20th 2018, 1:05 PM

    @Dave Doyle: Incorrect. Those of who give a damn just aren’t up for funding the “I don’t want to pay” brigade and would prefer to see public resources being spent on those who actually NEED help.

    Do you think folks who can afford to pay shouldn’t?

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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Jun 20th 2018, 1:43 PM

    @MK76: I don’t want to pay brigade?

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    Mute John
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    Jun 20th 2018, 1:53 PM

    @Dave Doyle: I guarantee you these people that ‘can’t afford to pay’ can afford sky tv, cans,holidays and everything else they deem is important in their lives.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 20th 2018, 2:13 PM

    @John: How many of them do you actually know?

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Jun 20th 2018, 2:28 PM

    @MK76: The same slander was used against water protesters, is used against the homeless and those who cannot afford their own homes.
    Will the banks pay the money they stole from people?
    Will Doherty pay her bills?
    Will developers who borrowed billions pay their bills?
    The answer is No. Paying is only for the plebs. The easily slandered.

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    Mute Anto Whelan
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:01 PM

    @Do the Bort man: do you have a link?

    1
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    Mute SC
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:25 AM

    In one place I lived in the city centre the bins were rarely collected after privatisation.
    I started calling the council and saying “it’s not my fault the bins weren’t collected, now there are nappies on the street, this is a public health hazard, this is your responsibility” and it worked. So we were paying a private company for bin tags and the council was collecting the bins.

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Jun 20th 2018, 7:19 AM

    @SC: Only admin jobs in DCC are safe. the people at the top looking out for themselves as usual. there should be an invesigation into who gets these contracts and who benifits.

    59
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    Mute Willy Malone
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:22 AM

    If they can’t afford the charges, they must live with the rats and sewage their waste creates? That’s privatisation the FFG way.

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    Mute MK76
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    Jun 20th 2018, 7:58 AM

    @Willy Malone: Cant afford or won’t pay?

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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:14 AM

    @MK76: What about when you do pay and they dump it in illegal landfills.

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    Mute MK76
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    Jun 20th 2018, 9:05 AM

    @Stephen Devlin: You mean the random lads who you pay a fraction of the cost to, to pick up your rubbish.

    Well who would of thought that was in any way dodgy?

    23
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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:13 AM

    @MK76: no I mean the licenced refuse collectors.

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    Mute Do the Bort man
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:26 AM

    @Willy Malone: Two private waste companies collecting in my estate, competing on prices. The alternative is for me to drive to the dump, which costs around a half of what it costs to have my bins emptied.

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    Mute William Kelly
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:47 AM

    The cost of these inspections & dumping clear ups is a horrendous consequence of a ramshackle privatisation, not to even cost the environmental damage & bad image caused.
    The private operators should be awarded discrete areas, 100%, & be responsible for collecting every household & business therein, so that non compliant addresses can be identified & enforced.
    One truck per area, cost efficiencies & no missed addresses will follow.

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:53 AM

    @William Kelly: good idea ,but it won’t be taken up

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    Mute SC
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    Jun 20th 2018, 7:01 AM

    @William Kelly: The private companies won’t take the non profitable areas. What has happened is the council has given away the areas that used to bring in money and now are left cleaning up the other areas at a loss. They should take control of all of the profit and loss making areas and try to adjust the prices and enforcement so that they break even.

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    Mute Ciaran105
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:02 AM

    @William Kelly: Unfortunately this is Ireland ! We can’t even use the middle doors of a bus properly unlike most of Europe. Never gonna happen Sweet dreams William,,,, !

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    Mute Liam Ward
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    Jun 20th 2018, 6:27 AM

    I’m surprised @ the journal this morning they have not yet reported on the news that broke yesterday evening Tues and that is that pint drinkers are to b hit yet again with a price hike from Diageo in two weeks time wonder how much greed d publicans in Dublin will slap on it ? More emty stools and closhers for Dublin pubs on the cards

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    Mute Sean
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:17 AM

    @Liam Ward: Emty Stool – I think I went to school with that fella. He wasn’t in very often though.

    17
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    Mute Nick Caffrey
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:28 AM

    @Liam Ward: Who cares? If you can’t afford it, don’t drink it.

    5
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jun 20th 2018, 7:41 AM

    The problem with Dublin is people cannot afford to live there anymore and the last thing they want to pay for is rubbish anybody renting in Dublin must be struggling. I am surprised there is not a lot more .

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jun 20th 2018, 7:47 AM

    @Donal Carey: so move to where you can afford lots of us did and commute. Fecking snowflakes is right. Gang of whingeing “I wants”…

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    Mute Mark McDermott
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:10 AM

    @Donal Carey: Cost of rent is no excuse for nothing paying for rubbish collection.

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    Mute Do the Bort man
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    Jun 20th 2018, 10:29 AM

    @Donal Carey: Waste collection in Dublin, is a fraction of what it costs in rural areas.

    5
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jun 20th 2018, 1:04 PM

    @GerryCummins: My god it’s not me I wouldn’t live in that shit hole I would prefer to live in a shanty town in South Africa

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    Mute laurence o neill
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:18 AM

    Rubbish should be collected free liked other country’s..we pay property tax and there ber no dumping full stop

    26
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    Mute Irish big fellow
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    Jun 20th 2018, 9:04 AM

    Same in every town. Litter wardens are sitting on their hands and too lazy to try and prosecute. They know who the main culprits are. They should be looking for evidence from certain householders as to how they dispose of their rubbish by looking for receipts of tags purchased.

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    Mute Jack McGready
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:03 AM

    Charge people a fair price for rubbish removal and this won’t happen.

    25
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    Mute casey
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    Jun 20th 2018, 12:33 PM

    If there are bags with stickers on them why aren’t the bin companies collecting them?

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    Mute Moorooka Mick
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    Jun 20th 2018, 11:16 AM

    This is what happens when garbage collection is privatised!

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    Mute Jonathan Cooke
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    Jun 20th 2018, 12:31 PM

    The city council has outsourced the bin collection to private companies which are ineffective. The cost of bin collection should be included in the property tax and companies awarded whole postal zones for bin collection. The fly tipping will decrease as there will be a blanket service.

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    Mute Arron
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    Jun 20th 2018, 8:51 PM

    Sure the throw the rubbish from the door way..

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