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DG vacancy at Office of Attorney General

A senior leadership vacancy has opened at the Office of the Attorney General.

The Government is launching a competition to recruit the next Director General (Secretary General) of the Office.

The post, advertised on Publicjobs.ie, is an important legal and administrative position combining high-level legal oversight with strategic management of one of the Government’s central advisory bodies.

The closing date for applications is 3pm on Thursday 8 January.

The Director General serves head of the office under the Public Service Management Act 1997 and operates directly under the Attorney General, the Government’s chief legal adviser.

The role crosses legal, managerial, and constitutional responsibilities.

The Office of the Attorney General consists of three parts:

• Advisory Counsel, responsible for providing legal advice on complex constitutional, administrative, EU, and international law issues,
• Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, which drafts Government legislation,
• Chief State Solicitor’s Office, which manages State litigation and provides solicitor services across government.

Formulation of law

These bodies form a key advisory engine for the Government, supporting decision-making at Cabinet level and guiding the State’s position in courts and international forums.

The role also involves direct participation in the formulation of law at both domestic and international levels.

The office contributes to the development of EU legislation, advises on the State’s human-rights obligations and plays a central part in the handling of litigation in which the State is a party.

The Director General will also join the Civil Service Management Board, contributing to strategic planning for the public service as a whole.

Senior non-political role

The post is considered one of the most senior non-political roles in the public service.

The recruitment process is being run by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC), the independent body responsible for selecting candidates for senior civil-service roles.

Applicants are expected to submit a detailed application form and senior-executive-level CV, with a comprehensive information booklet provided to guide candidates. 

Applications must be submitted through publicjobs.ie by the 8 January  deadline.