Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before wrapping up, I thank the witnesses for their attendance. The fact there has been a debate about these issues within the past nine months will be really positive for everyone and not just the public. I also believe it will be very positive for the police force, as greater transparency and more accountability is in everyone's interests, including the police force itself. I believe it is positive that matters have entered the public domain that were not there heretofore. At the outset, the commissioners stated their preference for making progress rather than headlines and while they may believe it or not, the joint committee is of the same mindset. I acknowledge that politicians are accused of the opposite but we think we can contribute something positive by challenging the status quo. I am convinced things will function better for everyone in the long term through open discussion and calling a spade a spade.

I again thank Commissioner Carmel Foley, Mr. Simon O'Brien, Mr. Kieran Fitzgerald and Mr. Graham Doyle for their attendance. The joint committee will adjourn until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 10 July, when it will consider public petitions.