Independent TD Mick Wallace says new Garda Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan will not oversee any major changes as Garda Commissioner.

Mr Wallace says the new commissioner was second-in-command to Martin Callinan and oversaw the same regime as he did.

Wallace has questioned why, is O’Sullivan was committed to reform, she did not exert more influence previously.

Mr Wallace says the new Commissioner played a major role in the Garda organisation under Martin Callinan:

“It is worrying that, if she was the woman to bring reform, as Minister Frances Fitzgerald says, why didn’t she have more of an influence on the former commissioner?”

The government has defended Ms O'Sullivan's appointment, saying she was recommended after an independent appointment process.

O’Sullivan dismissed claims her appointment was a case of an insider taking the role, saying that her experience of the police force gives her a “distinct advantage”.

“I know the organisation,” she said. “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,” she added.

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.