A senior member of the Gardaí has criticised former Justice Minister Alan Shatter for saying officers use the Pulse system as a "social website".

Yesterday, Deputy Shatter claimed gardaí have used the information system to obtain "prurient information - that was not in the public interest".

Read: Alan Shatter says he hopes Gardaí now use pulse system appropriately

The Deputy General Secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, John Jacobs, has accused the former Minister of making "sweeping statements".

He said that independent reports have shown this was never a widespread problem.

"This is a former Minister who, under his watch, underinvested in the Garda fleet, underinvested in technology, closed Templemore, oversaw the closure of Garda stations, and now is making a sweeping statement of this nature?" he said.

"I have to say - I'd like to see the evidence."