The Tánaiste had a lot to say earlier about the independence of the processes for senior Garda appointments. However, the evidence stacks up against her claims. In May the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality appointed four of the eight new assistant commissioners while in July she appointed ten chief superintendents and 18 superintendents. In fact, far from delivering an independent and trustworthy appointments process, she has frustrated it. In the context of the policing Act of 2015, I understand that a change to the regulations for appointments needs to be made and a commencement order is required.

Until that happens, it is a joke, quite frankly, to talk about an independent appointments system. Can the Tánaiste tell us when the regulations will be amended and when the relevant sections of the legislation will be commenced?

Essential appointments were made earlier this year when the Policing Authority had just been established. In fact, that was the last group of appointments to be made under the old processes. The new regulations will be in place before the end of the year and the next group of appointments will be made by the Policing Authority, as was always the intention.