The Garda Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan is set to face questions about the whistleblower controversy when she appears before the Oireachtas Justice Committee later.

The official agenda for the meeting is to discuss the priorities for the force in the coming years.

But opposition TD's are also expected to question the Commissioner about allegations of a smear campaign against whistle blowers in the force.

Committee chairperson, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó'Caoláin, says it's a welcome opportunity to hear from the Commissioner: