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Department of Justice names secretary general

The Government has appointed Doncha O’Sullivan as secretary general of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

This follows a competition undertaken by Public Jobs on behalf of the Top-Level Appointments Commission.

O’Sullivan will take up the post on 20 April, succeeding Oonagh McPhillips, who is retiring.

Civil justice

Currently deputy secretary for civil justice in the department, O’Sullivan has led the development, implementation, and review of policies and programmes in the areas of immigration, international protection, civil-law reform, and access to justice.

He also oversaw the management of the department’s relationship with civil-justice agencies such as the Courts Service and the Legal Aid Board.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the appointment, saying that O’Sullivan’s leadership and experience would be “invaluable”.

He also praised Oonagh McPhillips for her “strong leadership and exemplary commitment to the department”.