I understand from what you said, and from your recent appearance at the Senate committee, that you now have legal counsel, so you can deal with the whole question of the nature of your office in a more formal way. I also understand that you have both internal legal counsel from the Department of Justice, or formerly from the Department of Justice, and outside counsel.
By the way, as I see your mandate, it says “review and address”. I don't know how you can address something if you don't know what it is you're addressing. So it seems to me that it is included in your mandate, but that's something for you to pursue.
Am I right in saying that the two problems you have identified are, first, that you need access to information about problems and issues, and, second, that you need recognition of your independence? Are those the two things? We're looking for ways to help you perform your role.