Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll:

The Chairman has the right to draw any conclusion he wishes but I need to make one point. He rightly stated that the State should not presume anybody guilty. I must ask the same thing for our staff. Serious personal allegations have been made. The Chairman mentioned some of them. In a court case, a judge described some of the most serious of the allegations mentioned as an attempt at character assassination without evidence. I agree with that judge. Other judges were quoted today but the aforementioned judge made a very important point. The Chairman is correct that I have not provided a point-by-point rebuttal of the document. I would welcome the opportunity to do so. I have answered members' questions as honestly and openly as I am able. We touched on some of the untruths members were told. I have stated clearly that I do not think the special investigations unit or anybody else is perfect. I am sure we have made mistakes but malicious allegations were made against front-line public servants who are doing a difficult job. I will present to the committee clear alternative evidence and I accept that the committee will do what it needs to do with it. However, I have to ask for the same indulgence that the Chairman asked from us, namely, that he does not presume our staff are guilty.