Internal Administration Ministry Shaken by Dismissal and Legal Allegations
Minister of Internal Administration (Ministro da Administração Interna) Luís Neves dismissed the ministry's secretary-general, Ricardo Carrilho, on Monday following internal disputes over emergency communications network SIRESP. Ricardo Carrilho alleged that the minister pressured him to commit illegal acts and claimed that administrative decision-making in the ministry is paralyzed. The Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) called for an urgent parliamentary hearing with both officials, while Socialist Party figures criticized the government for creating institutional instability.
Update: Auditor Investigates SIRESP Contracts Following Official Dismissal
Ricardo Carrilho said his dismissal followed his refusal to approve an allegedly illegal €26 million payment to SIRESP. The General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (Inspeção-Geral da Administração Interna or IGAI) subsequently opened an inquiry into SIRESP contracts signed between April 2024 and May 2026.
Luís Neves will take office on Monday as Minister of Internal Administration. He graduated in law and has worked at the Judicial Police since 1995, where he served as coordinator of a national unit and developed a long career in criminal investigation.
The SIRESP (Sistema Integrado de Redes de Emergência e Segurança de Portugal) is the national radio communications network used by emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medical responders. It ensures that different agencies can communicate securely and reliably during daily operations and large-scale emergencies, such as wildfires or public events.
IGAI stands for the Inspectorate‑General of Internal Administration (Inspeção‑Geral da Administração Interna), an independent oversight body that inspects police forces, civil protection and local administration for legality and performance. For expats dealing with police staffing or conduct issues, IGAI is the body unions and officials may ask to review problems and recommend changes.
