The Garda Commissioner is to appear before the Policing Authority today where she is likely to be asked about the O'Higgins report.

The Authority is likely to look for further clarification on her instructions to her legal team ahead of the inquiry into garda malpractice in the Cavan Monaghan region.

Yesterday Noirin O'Sullivan issued a statement claiming she did not tell her lawyers to question the integrity of whistleblower Maurice Mc Cabe.

The Authority which meets in private today is also likely to ask her about failings in policing and management of the force.

Following a Dail debate on the O'Higgins report last night, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin gave Commissioner O'Sullivan his backing.

He says the need  to tackle gangland criminals "trumps" everything else with the Garda Commissioner.