Department of Justice fills two-year secretary general vacancy

The Department of Justice and Equality has a permanent secretary general for the first time since 2014 following the appointment of Noel Waters.

Mr Waters has been acting as secretary general since 6 October 2014 and was appointed on a permanent basis by the Government following a recent competition.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “My Department has a very wide-ranging and important remit and I am delighted that the Government has appointed Noel Waters to this post.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Noel and the Department’s management team in leading the reforms in the Department and the wider Justice and Equality sector.”

Mr Water previously served as director general of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service from 2010-14, leading on the development of the Visa Waiver Programme, the introduction of the landmark British-Irish Visa Scheme, new Citizenship Ceremonies and the civilianisation of border management.

In previous positions he led corporate affairs and the Reception and Integration Agency and also worked in the Minister’s office and the immigration, prisons and Garda divisions.