Department of Justice secretary general to retire

The secretary general of the Department of Justice is set to retire after just a year in the role.

Noel Waters was appointed as the Department’s permanent secretary general last October, filling a vacancy that had remained open for two years.

Mr Waters had also served as acting secretary general from October 2014 until his permanent appointment.

He has been a civil servant for 40 years.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Department said: “The Secretary General notified the Minister formally yesterday that, as he will have shortly served for 40 years, he intends to retire in February.

“This was noted as a matter of routine at today’s Government meeting.”