International Protection Act 2026

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Chapter 3

Appointment and functions of Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures

Appointment of Chief Inspector

260. (1) The Government shall appoint a person to be known as the Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures to perform the functions conferred on the Chief Inspector by this Part.

(2) Subject to subsection (1), the Government shall appoint the Chief Inspector on the recommendation of the Service where a competition has been held for that purpose under section 47 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 .

(3) Where the Chief Inspector is—

(a) nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,

(b) elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to be a member of the European Parliament,

(c) regarded pursuant to Part XIII of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997 as having been elected to that Parliament,

(d) elected or co-opted as a member of a local authority,

(e) appointed to judicial office, or

(f) appointed Attorney General,

he or she shall thereupon cease to be the Chief Inspector.

(4) The term of office of a person appointed as the Chief Inspector shall not exceed 5 years.

(5) A person appointed as the Chief Inspector is eligible for reappointment for a second term but shall not hold office for periods the aggregate of which exceeds 10 years.

(6) Where a person is being reappointed in accordance with subsection (5), subsection (2) shall not apply.

(7) The Chief Inspector shall, subject to this Part, be independent in the performance of his or her functions.

(8) A person appointed as the Chief Inspector shall not hold any other office or occupy any position in respect of which remuneration is payable or carry on any business, trade or profession, without the consent of the Minister.

(9) As soon as practicable after the appointment of a person as the Chief Inspector, the Minister shall cause a notice of the appointment to be published in Iris Oifigiúil.