A TD has claimed that women are being appointed to senior roles in the courts and Gardaí to distract from Government cronyism.
Clare Daly says it's not a co-incidence that both the new Garda Commissioner, and the chair of the Garda Authority, are women.
They join a growing list of prominent positions held by women, including the Attorney General, the DPP and the Chief Justice.
Deputy Daly says cronyism is still rife - particularly in how the chair of the new Garda Authority was chosen:
However, the new Garda Commissioner is dismissing criticism that an insider has been appointed to the role.
Noirín O'Sullivan says has a distinct advantage as she knows the organisation and knows the changes that are required.
“I think that gives me a distinct advantage because I know the organisation, I know the people in the organisation but also importantly I understand and I know the community and I know the things that need to be done,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
O’Sullivan was the sole candidate recommended for the role by a high level committee following a global search and two rounds of interviews with Irish and international candidates.
