Ms Josephine Feehily:

Regarding the children issue, there is no question but that we are pursuing the recommendations. We have had the report for three months if August is excluded. In the meantime, we produced a fairly significant report on a whole other batch of recommendations. The other thing that needs to be said - Dr. Shannon's report acknowledges this - is that in general, the findings regarding the performance of the Garda engaging with children are reassuring. They are positive. There was no evidence of racial profiling. If I were to line up all the reports for the Policing Authority's attention that criticise the guards, it would not be a collection that screams out in terms of its volume, but there is no question but that we will follow up on all of the recommendations.

Regarding the appointments, of course the Act requires us to keep ourselves informed of complaints in general and in particular, and we do that, but employment law, human rights law and the regulations governing appointments require us to apply the highest standards of fair procedures in our selection. Just because we do not add up or connect something specific in a detailed way that perhaps one might expect does not mean we are not mindful of complaints. The fair procedures piece regarding individuals when it comes to their livelihood is extremely high-bar, and it is well set out in law and in regulations.