Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ms Feehily also said the Policing Authority would not get involved in what was essentially a human resources issue where there were tensions and so forth. I listened to the evidence of the ladies in great detail. They were very clear that while there were issues, that was not the reason they had contacted the Policing Authority. It is quite clear that they are very disillusioned and disheartened by the manner in which the authority has engaged with them. Ms Feehily has offered a significant defence of the authority and its engagement. I suggest she needs to look at her agency's protocols for dealing with this type of situation.

The other problem the Policing Authority has is one of gaining public confidence. It is the most serious problem. It is possible that public confidence in the authority has been eroded somewhat as a result of this issue. If that is the case, the challenge for Ms Feehily is to regain public confidence.

I would like her opinion on the matter of public confidence. She has already spoken about perception. Public perception is most important in the work the Policing Authority does.