The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has defended the selection of Josephine Feehily as the head of the new independent garda authority.

Ms Fitzgerald says the outgoing chief of the Revenue Commissioners has a wealth of experience and is the right person for the job.

The appointment will be subject to a statutory process once the legislation to establish the authority is enacted.

Ms Feehily has served as chairman of the Revenue Commissioners for the past 16 years and will complete her role there in January.

Ms Fitzgerald noted that one of the first tasks of Ms Feehily will be to take part in the final rounds of recruiting a new garda commissioner.

However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has criticised her appointment as not sufficiently independent.

Ms Fitzgerald says Ms Feehily was the best of a number of candidates.

Earlier, speaking at the launch of the Victims Rights Alliance Conference, the Minister spoke about the appointment: