Mr. Francis Doherty:

Because I had a communications role, I would have been aware that the long-term CEO prided himself on developing relations with the Minister of the day. It was key to him that he saw himself as being an unwavering support to the Minister of the day. For me, in my communications role, there was a very difficult line to walk in ensuring that the organisation remained impartial and that its integrity was retained, because, obviously, our founder, Fr. Peter McVerry, is a very independent, outspoken advocate. I was trying to marry that with an approach that seemed to be an extension of supporting whatever the Government policy of the day was without any scrutiny.