Portugal's interior ministry removes secretary-general over SIRESP oversight dispute

Minister ends secretary-general's functions

The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) announced on Monday, 12 October 2026, that Minister Luís Neves had ended the functions of Ricardo Alberto Gasiba Carrilho as secretary-general of the ministry's General Secretariat, a post he held on a substitution basis. The ministry's communiqué linked the decision to a reorganisation of the Secretariat, including the preparation of a new organic structure and procedures. The communiqué did not name who would take over the post. Carrilho had worked in the Secretariat since 2014, first as a deputy and then as secretary-general from January 2025. The ministry's statement made no reference to the disagreement reported the same day.

The SIRESP dispute

Expresso reported that the relationship between the secretary-general and the minister had reached a breaking point over oversight of SIRESP, the Integrated Emergency and Security Networks System of Portugal, the state's emergency communications network. According to internal documents seen by Expresso, Carrilho refused to sign a transfer of 26 million euros to SIRESP, saying the company had not given him access to the indicators needed to validate it. The minister bypassed that refusal on the strength of an internal legal opinion and maintains that everything is in order in the system. The documents also reportedly contained accusations of inaction against the minister, warnings of 'risk to human lives', and claims of irregularities in the handling of public money. Expresso further reported that about two months earlier Carrilho had filed urgent complaints with the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Inspectorate-General of Internal Administration (IGAI), concerning a project of almost one million euros financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan and more than 60,000 euros paid to Motorola. Neves had already ordered an IGAI audit of the secretary-general before the dismissal.

Background inside the ministry

SAPO reports that tension inside the ministry sharpened from August, with roots in the departure of former deputy secretary-general António Pombeiro. In May, Pombeiro left his post and accused SIRESP president Major-General Paulo Viegas Nunes of 'serious irregularities' and a systematic pattern of 'ethically reprehensible and legally questionable behaviour'. According to SAPO, the alleged irregularities included direct awards made without justification to 'compadres'. The timeline below summarises the sequence of dates reported in the articles.

Political reaction

Chega leader André Ventura, speaking outside parliament at a farmers' demonstration, linked the dismissal to Carrilho's demands for transparency.

Este secretário-geral foi afastado porque exigiu transparência. Eu acho que alguma coisa não está certa com Luís Neves e convinha Montenegro olhar para isso

Ventura asked Prime Minister Luís Montenegro how long he would allow the minister's conduct to continue.

Até quando é que vai permitir que estas atitudes de Luís Neves continuem de forma arrogante, ostensiva, e a fazer o que quer só quando lhe exigem transparência?

Chega's parliamentary group has requested an urgent hearing of Neves before the Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees committee to explain the circumstances of Carrilho's departure and the reported disagreements over SIRESP.

What happens next

Notícias ao Minuto reports that Carrilho has asked Prime Minister Luís Montenegro for an urgent audience. The ministry said that the request had not been communicated to the minister's office. The ministry's communiqué did not say who would take over the secretary-general post, and the reorganisation of the Secretariat is described as still in preparation.