Mr. Martin Callinan:

I have heard these criticisms of course. What I can say to the Deputy is that Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony is someone who has been around for quite some time and his honesty, integrity and reputation, not just in An Garda Síochána but in many legal circles and beyond, corroborate the fact that he is someone who is extremely thorough and committed to his work. He picked a team to look at this very disturbing level of allegations made, who are experienced in their own right - experienced investigators. I am very satisfied that he and his team will leave no stone unturned in digging out issues around criminality or beyond if they find them. It should not escape anyone's notice that, like myself, he has done this in the past. Unfortunately, we have had reason to investigate some of our own people for very serious matters. We have brought some of our members before the courts in that respect and some of them have received custodial sentences. It is a question of the people around the investigation wearing the t-shirt and walking the walk at the same time. They are not afraid to take on any issue presented to them, be it on a criminal or procedural basis. That, I suggest, is what Assistant Commissioner O'Mahony's report reflects.