The post of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is to be advertised to find a replacement for Mr Eamonn Barnes, who retires in September, writes Michael O'Regan.
The Cabinet will today give the go-ahead to the Civil Service Commissioners to draft the advertisement for the £86,691 a year job. However, the terms of the appointment will differ from those given to Mr Barnes in 1975. While Mr Barnes was appointed until retirement age, his successor will be given a seven-year term in line with secretaries-general of Government departments.
Barristers and solicitors, including those working in the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor who have served up to 10 years, will be eligible to apply.
Mr Barnes was born in 1934 and educated at Ballymote national school, Co Sligo, Franciscan College, Multyfarnham, UCD and King's Inns. He was called to the Bar in 1958 and built up a practice on the western circuit. He was a legal assistant in the Office of the Attorney General before being appointed DPP.