Ms Nóirín O'Sullivan:

The work of the committee in regard to domestic violence and sexual violence was very useful. We used it to inform our decision to set up a dedicated unit looking at domestic violence, sexual assault investigations and at all areas of human exploitation. Part of that will be using some of the work of the committee in developing standard operating procedures, SOPs, so the experience will be the same and that we will have especially trained people. As the committee knows, we already have specialist child interviewers and we have some people specially trained in taking statements because obviously it is a very traumatic time for people. We are very conscious of the impact it has on individuals - on individual victims and sometimes witnesses, making the type of statements that are expected from them and having to attend the sexual assault treatment units - and of being able to support people through that, working with the NGOs, and the other agencies involved in that. The new unit, the domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit, will develop the standard operation procedures. The unit, along with our Garda professional standards unit, will also be monitoring the implementation of those SOPs and making sure that the service is continually improved. We will also be looking for the feedback of the various groups involved.