The Government has appointed Nóirin O’Sullivan as the new Garda Commissioner.

A former deputy commissioner of the force, she had been serving as interim Garda commissioner since the retirement of Martin Callinan in March.

The appointment follows an open international competition.

It was the first time the post had been advertised externally and follows a period of major controversy for the Garda.

The Irish Times understands she was on a final three person shortlist with two international candidates.

Following the final interviews on Monday her appointment was ratified by Cabinet on Tuesday.

The competition was run by the Public Appointments Service, with a high level group proposing her name alone to Government.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said she was “exceptionally well placed to deliver on programme of reform and modernisation” of An Garda Siochána.

“The focus must now be to ensure public confidence in policing in Ireland and to support the men and women An Garda Síochána in their day-to-day work of keeping our communities and country safe,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

She was the only candidate recommended by the public appointments service following the selection process, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

Among those involved in the final round of interviews were chair-designate of the proposed new Policing Authority Josephine Feehily.

The Dublin native joined the Garda Síochána in 1981. A decade later she became a sergeant and was appointed a superintendent in 2000. She became assistant commissioner in 2007.