Mr. Drew Harris:

I have addressed questions which have been the subject of much commentary. I think some of that commentary has been ill-founded. At the very start, I set out that I am here to serve the people of Ireland. I have accepted, and have been appointed to, the role of Commissioner. I swore an oath and that oath is important to me. I am here to serve and I am here to protect the people of Ireland. What I bring are the experiences and skills I learned in my time - 34 years - serving in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, RUC, before that.

Overall, and without fail, the welcome I have received has been complete and wholesome. The welcome received I received from the organisation and from members of the public has been complete and wholesome. In some ways, the manner in which I have been received has been very moving for me. For instance, I felt really welcomed and well received at the National Ploughing Championships. I have to say that within the organisation, I feel very welcome and I have been well received. Hopefully, I have been able to dispel some of the concerns about appointing someone from outside of the jurisdiction but, strangely, from this island to this position.