The Tanaiste has said she cannot meet two Garda whistleblowers who say they have been mistreated within the force.

Frances Fitzgerald has said it would be inappropriate for her to meet with anyone whose cases are still being examined.

Last week she asked the Attorney General to examine a report outlining an alleged smear campaign against specific whistleblowers.

In the Dáil this morning the Justice Minister said the matters were still being investigated, and she didn’t want to intervene: “I don’t believe that I can come in here and respond to legal correspondence by way of parliamentary question.

“In an effort to be helpful to you Deputy I would say, that I would have grave reservations about meeting people who have made protected disclosures, while their case is subject to an examination or an investigation by the Garda Ombudsman Commission.”