Mr. Hugh Hume:

The deciding factor is what is in the best public interest. There is no clear delineation. We have the power to investigate, but if we felt it was in the public interest for whatever reason - there could be a multitude of reasons and complexity that link into other aspects of criminality - or the wishes of the protected disclosure, we will make a decision and determination in the public interest. By and large, that is by working with An Garda Síochána. We look at a case and decide what is in the public interest and what is in the best interests of everyone.