Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the last question, we have somebody who has agreed to do it. She is really good. We trust her. I believe she will be independent and very competent. I have not yet informed the Cabinet of her name, so I need to do it on Tuesday. I reassure the members of the committee and anybody listening who is interested in defence issues that the reason it has taken some time to get an independent chair for the supervisory body to make sure we follow through on all the commitments made in the commission is that we wanted to get a good person who is enthusiastic and smart and has a track record that allows us to trust him or her.

This person is all of those things. It has taken a bit of time to get the right person, but we have somebody and she has agreed to do it. I had, however, better tell the Cabinet before I tell the committee, if that is okay. Members will find out on Tuesday after the Cabinet meeting.