The prospect of an apology to the two Garda penalty points whistleblowers will be discussed by ministers this morning.

This morning's cabinet meeting is the first since the release of a report into the penalty points system by the Garda Inspectorate.

There are deep rows between ministers - and the coalition parties - over the treatment of Maurice McCabe and John Wilson, whose claims led to the problems being uncovered.

After four cabinet ministers spoke out on the subject yesterday, today's cabinet meeting could be the most tense in the history of this government.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is at odds not only with the five Labour ministers, but also several members from his own Fine Gael party.

And yesterday Eamon Gilmore upped the ante by saying Alan Shatter should join the Garda commissioner in withdrawing his remarks about the whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and John Wilson.

It's the position of the minister which is most up in the air: the cabinet will steer clear of any attempt to force Martin Callinan into any action, as it won't politicise his position.

But if Minister Shatter relents, it weakens his position amid four separate external reports on justice and Garda issues - while if he doesn't, the pressure will fall back on Labour.