Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In response to earlier questioning by Deputy MacSharry, the Commissioner said that, at the meeting on 27 June, she hopes relations will be repaired. She spoke to Deputy MacSharry of that difference of opinion and interpersonal differences. To describe the relationship between Mr. Culhane and Mr. Kelly and Mr. Barrett as a difference of opinion would be to gloss over what is happening there. The best word to describe the atmosphere on the day they attended a meeting of this committee is "toxic". It was unbelievable to see the hostility manifest itself between those gentlemen who were supposedly on the same side. I do not think it was a difference of opinion. I am asking about the Commissioner's confidence to the effect that she can get to the heart of the matter and achieve the reform she seeks in light of the sheer toxic hostility between these people. Can the Commissioner understand that from our position, seeing that toxic atmosphere, we wonder what in God's name they are like when they are away from here where they were on public show? If they could not hide their contempt for one another on that day, what are they like when they are elsewhere? The relevance of this for everyone watching and trying to get to the truth of the matter is whether we can have confidence that these gentlemen can work together.