Press release
Cabinet makes appointment to Garda Síochána Inspectorate
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Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, has this week received the approval of the government for the appointment of Mr Alywin Barton to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. The Minister brought the nomination to Cabinet following an open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service, which identified Mr. Barton for the post.
Minister Humphreys said:
"I am very pleased that the government has appointed Alywin Barton to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. Alywin brings a wealth of experience to the role and I wish him every success."
Mr Barton, who held several senior positions with the PSNI, will be appointed to the Inspectorate with effect from 1 November 2021, for a maximum term of three years or until the dissolution of the Inspectorate, whichever is the sooner. Under the terms of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, the functions of the existing Policing Authority and Garda Inspectorate will be combined in the new Policing and Community Safety Authority.
Minister Humphreys concluded:
"The new Policing and Community Safety Bill will refine the governance and oversight framework of An Garda Síochána. Work is at an advanced stage on this legislation in my department but it is essential that the Inspectorate would remain fully operational and, in this respect, it is important that this vacancy on the Garda Síochána Inspectorate be filled as soon as possible."
Mr Alywin Barton is a former senior member of the PSNI. He recently retired from his role as District Commander in Fermanagh and Omagh. He has over 38 years’ service as a police officer, most of which was spent in operational policing.
The Garda Síochána Inspectorate was established in line with the Garda Síochána Act 2005. It is an independent body, the purpose of which is to ensure that the resources made available to An Garda Síochána are used efficiently and effectively. This is achieved by carrying out inspections and measuring performance by reference to the best standards of comparable policing services. The inspections may be self-initiated by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate or requested by the Minister for Justice or the Policing Authority.
The Garda Síochána Act stipulates that the Inspectorate shall consist of three persons, including a Chief Inspector. At least one of those members is to be a woman and at least one of them is to be a man. The duration of any appointment (or re-appointment) is for a period to be determined by the government. The Act further provides that members of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate must have served as a senior officer in the police service of another state or have relevant experience suitable to the position.
There are two serving members of the Inspectorate at this time, Mr Mark Toland (Chief Inspector) and Ms Pauline Shields. The current vacancy arose earlier this year when Mr Hugh Hume was appointed Commissioner at the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).