Mr. John Barrett:

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh leis an gCathaoirleach ar bhás a mháthar.

I come before the committee knowing the democratic power of the institution it represents. The committee members are the elected representatives of the people of Ireland. I hope to leave today's meeting having answered the committee's questions fully and thoroughly. I see this as a very significant matter for an organisation that must enjoy the trust of the people of Ireland. The powers that can be exercised - caution, arrest, detention - are of such constitutional significance that we need to have our house not just in order but in absolute order.

I sit here with a sense of embarrassment that we do not have it in order but with no sense of personal regret that I raised this issue. I continue to believe that I did the right thing in persisting. There is credit due to people on my right and on my left for their assistance in this regard. However, as I think is clear, I feel, quite frankly, that I did not have universal support. That reality is a reality that I want members of the committee to consider. As I said to Deputy Cullinane previously, I look for no bouquets in this. I feel that I am doing my job, but I want members to understand that it is not easy. The assistance this committee can give in ensuring that the standards that are required of us are demanded by it consistently and that we deliver will embolden others to do the right thing and to step forward in difficult situations. That is a key cultural change that this committee can help make.