Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring:

We represent to the public an independent and impartial organisation that provides oversight of An Garda Síochána. As we stand, perhaps our close statutory connection to the Department suggests we are not as independent. If I can use a practical example, when I was on the Bench one day, I was met with enthusiasm by a gentleman who announced to all and sundry, myself included, that the last time we met, he was my client. Having wished him well, I sent him somewhere else. It was not that I was concerned that I could not deal with him independently but rather the impression to somebody looking on that if the sentence was considered to be too soft, it was because he was my client and if it was too harsh, perhaps similarly due to him being my client, I had acted in a certain way. The Department has not caused us difficulties but if we are going to be independent, we should be independent. We recognise the conflicting responsibilities in the Department. It also looks at the financial picture relating to An Garda Síochána and there are huge demands in that regard and, properly there should be. We would like to be able to put our feet firmly in front of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform or any other Department and say, "This is our brief, this is why we want it", and argue our corner without any other considerations.