The Government is expected to announce appointments to three vacancies at assistant commissioner level in the Garda after months of delay and changes to the system of selecting senior officers.
The three vacancies are for regional commanders in the South based in Cork, West (Galway) and East (Mullingar). The Cork position has been vacant since May.
It is understood the delay in holding interviews - 22 of the 47 chief superintendents applied for the posts - arose over proposals from the Government to change the selection board.
Until now, the board has consisted of the commissioner and senior deputy commissioner and one outside figure with experience in government or management. The new board is composed of the two senior garda∅, an independent management consultant and a representative of the Civil Service Appointments Commission.
The changes were instituted by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, who said he wished to have confidence in the system used for appointing officers to the most senior ranks.
There are nine assistant commissioners positions: four regional commanders, the Dublin Metropolitan commander and four in Garda Headquarters.