Noirín O'Sullivan has been appointed as the garda commissioner on a permanent basis.

She has been confirmed as a permanent appointment after the Cabinet meeting this morning.

The Department of Justice said Ms O'Sullivan was the sole candidate recommended by a "high-level interview panel", which conducted two rounds of interviews.

The incoming chair of the new independent Garda Authority, Josephine Feehily, was among the interviewers for the final round of interviews in recent days.

Ms Feehily was nominated as the first chairperson-designate of the new policing authority earlier this month.

Ms O'Sullivan has been filling the role on an interim basis since the resignation of former commissioner Martin Callinan in March.

She was the deputy commissioner for operations for three years before that.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said: "An Garda Síochána has faced many challenges in recent times. 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."

She congratulated Ms. O'Sullivan on her appointment, adding: "I believe that Nóirin O’Sullivan, with her experience and proven leadership capacity, is exceptionally well placed to deliver on this programme of reform and modernisation."

While the the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) John Redmond has said in a statement: "We are delighted with today's announcement. An Garda Síochána requires a decisive leader who will implement reforms and give due regard to the voice of her staff after what can only be described as a very trying time for members of the force."

"The AGSI would like to extend our congratulations and good wishes to Commissioner O'Sullivan whom we have already met and who has committed to listening attentively to Sergeants and Inspectors."

While Wexford TD Mick Wallace has described the appointment of Ms O'Sullivan as a 'joke'. Mr Wallace said the former acting commissioner is part of the old brigade.

He told South East Radio it is more of the same from the government.