Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Taoiseach and thank him for his overview of the work of the commission. We can have immediate confidence in the appointment of Mr. Justice Fennelly, a very senior member of the Supreme Court and a man totally above reproach. The terms of reference are comprehensive and I hope the deadlines can be met. They will be reviewed in due course. This is necessary for An Garda Síochána. We have seen the events in County Donegal. Human nature being what it is, there are, unfortunately, some bad apples everywhere. An Garda Síochána is, however, a great force.

This commission and its work in the interests of the citizenry constitute a total commitment to the openness and transparency Senator Katherine Zappone mentioned. The Cooke and Guerin reports will be published shortly. I also welcome the open public competition to which the Taoiseach has committed for the appointment of the new Garda Commissioner.

What my good friend Senator Darragh O’Brien has said as ever totally lacks objectivity and impartiality. What happened following the meeting to which the Taoiseach referred was a communication courtesy that involved several people and the Senator is wrong to try to read more into it.