The Garda Commissioner says a new permanent office should be set up for Gardai to make internal complaints.

Noirin O'Sullivan's suggestion appears to pave the way for the return of the role of 'Confidential Recipient' - a previous office which was removed in 2014.

This lunchtime the Tánaiste and justice minister Frances Fitzgerald said she would give the idea some consideration.

Appearing at the Oireachtas justice committee, O'Sulivan also insisted she had no part in an alleged smear campaign against some whistleblowers - and appealed for calm while a former High Court judge is given time to investigate.

She's was also forced to deny one TD's claim that she gave a senior Garda job to her bridesmaid - telling Mick Wallace that she didn't have a bridesmaid at her wedding.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly filed this report for Today FM's National Lunchtime News: