The Maurice McCabe scandal was front and centre at the latest public meeting of the Policing Authority this afternoon.

This is the first time Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan has appeared before the Authority since the Tribunal of Inquiry into the affair was announced.

Commissioner O'Sullivan says she welcomes the fact that the inquiry is being held in public, and an Assistant Commissioner mentioned that they were pleased another side of the story would be aired when that comes to pass.

Here's John O'Driscoll;

The Policing Authority started proceedings by saying it's limited in what it can ask, considering the turn of events, and it's remit.

Chairwoman of the Authority is Josephine Feehily;

However, in a tweet, Labour leader Brendan Howlin suggested that the Policing Authority could still recommend Commissioner O'Sullivan's removal from her post;

Garda authority has power to recommend to Govt removal from office of the Commissioner. Should not be reluctant to use legislative powers https://t.co/9uUROsZZhA

— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) February 23, 2017

Commissioner O'Sullivan was also asked was the scandal having an impact on garda confidence, and as a result, the force's ability to do its work;

Commissioner O'Sullivan responds to the question put to her by Josephine Feehily regarding Garda Performance pic.twitter.com/XP6KjWsoBA

— Policing Authority (@PolicingAuthIRL) February 23, 2017