The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said he has full confidence in the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter.
But he says issues of possible Garda misconduct raised by the Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin need to be looked into.
Alan Shatter's handling of the allegations has come under scrutiny after it emerged that he was made aware of the claims two years ago.
The Tanaiste says the government wants to strengthen protection for whistleblowers, but that Alan Shatter enjoys his full confidence:
Earlier, another Labour minister expressed confidence in Alan Shatter.
Communication minister Pat Rabbitte described his colleague as one of the best justice ministers in the last 30 years.
But he added that time was needed to establish all the facts raised in the claims of Garda malpractice.
