The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has said the Government are open to selecting an international applicant to take on the role as Garda Commissioner.
Mr Flanagan’s announcement comes after he held discussions with the Chairperson of the Policing Authority, Josephine Feehily.
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland programme Mr Flanagan said that his department is open all applications and the process to find a replacement is now officially under way.
The Justice Minister said that the Government’s main objective is to find the best candidate to over see national security.
He also said he hoped the matter can be resolved within weeks and that he and the Government are fully focused on making a significant change within the Gardaí that would put the state’s police force on par with other leading forces across the world.