The spokesman for the Association of Chief Superintendents, Mr John O'Brien, wishes to clarify comments which appeared in yesterday's editions under the headline "Chief Superintendents not opposed to idea of outsider as Garda head".

The association has not indicated a public position with regard to the appointment of the new Garda Commissioner. The final remarks made to Mr Maher (Drugs and Crime Correspondent of The Irish Times) clearly indicated that the association did not wish to comment directly on the pending appointment because it was a political matter. {CORRECTION} 96060400021