Taoiseach Enda Kenny has defended the process of selecting a new Garda Commissioner.
It was announced yesterday that Nóirín O'Sullivan had been appointed Garda Commissioner, following a competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
The appointment was raised during this morning's Leaders' Questions in the Dáil by Independent TD Mick Wallace, who criticised the appointment process.
Mr Kenny said the appointment board was independent and said it was not true to say it was some sort of "inside job".
It was a rigorous, independent interview process, he said, and it was Ms O'Sullivan who came through.
The selection committee contained a number of very competent people, he said, including former chief of police in Boston Kathleen O'Toole and the Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach.
Mr Kenny also said garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe had welcomed the appointment of Ms O'Sullivan.
However, Mr Wallace said the appointment was an insult to whistleblowers.
Mr Wallace was one of the first TDs to highlight a series of scandals in An Garda Síochána and he was pointed in his criticism of the new Garda Commissioner this morning.
He said UL Professor Dermot Walsh had said they needed to go outside the State if they wanted reform and asked whether the Taoiseach wanted reform.
Mr Wallace said a whistleblower had been subject to constant harassment in Mullingar and that it was on the new commissioner's watch.
