Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will follow up on what the Chair was asking around autonomy. The witnesses have expressed how important the autonomy was for them and that the body should have as much autonomy as required. That is really important and I agree it is necessary in terms of the transformation. Whether I believe it is feasible within the culture or not, I am impressed with the witnesses' enthusiasm and the fresh thinking they have expressed at this meeting. It is encouraging to see in the context of a disciplined organisation that is very much about the taking of orders and the following of orders and, as Ms Feehily referenced, the idea that this is the way we do things around here. How are the witnesses going to ensure they get to meet more of the people who do not know who they are? I remember hearing the earlier ombudsman say she was surprised people had not come to her. It was obviously not well known within the organisation that people could go because that was not the way things were done around there. What was it like to be talking to people who were used to taking orders and not used to being listened to and asked for their opinions?