MINISTER FOR JUSTICE Alan Shatter has announced the government’s approval of the appointment of a number of new gardaí to senior management positions within the force after public sector retirements.

After meeting with the cabinet, Shatter said that two Assistant Commissioners, eight Chief Superintendents and 23 Superintendents were being appointed.

The minister also said that the garda force should be at 13,511 gardaí by the end of this month, based on current projections. “This recent reduction in numbers must be seen in the context of the programme of real and substantial reform which is being delivered in An Garda Síochána under the Croke Park Agreement,” he said.

Today’s appointments “reflect the commitment of the government to maintain the supervisory and management ranks in An Garda Síochána at the highest level possible,” he said.

He added that Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has sanctioned the appointment of replacements at the sergeant and inspector levels by the Garda Commissioner as a result of today’s appointments.