The Garda Commissioner – officially known as the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána – is the head of the Garda Síochána, the national police service of Ireland. The Garda Commissioner is appointed by the Government of Ireland (cabinet), on the recommendation of the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Commissioner reports to the Minister for Justice and Equality, in charge of the Department of Justice and Equality, of which the Garda Síochána is a state agency. The Garda Commissioner sits on the Irish government's National Security Committee (NSC), and is primarily responsible for Ireland's domestic state security apparatus.