Ms Clare Tiernan:

The Defence Forces are a unique body in that they have their own military justice system, with their own internal judge and director of military prosecutions, so it is an inward-focused system. What we are talking about here is membership of RACO, which is part of the Defence Forces. It is one cohort of the Defence Forces of which these people would have membership. The issue that we are tackling is that the perception of independence and their independence is totally protected in legislation, but we will take away Deputy Carthy's point and consider it. It is a point that has been made to us through our consultation so we will definitely look at that and consult with the Attorney General.