The commission of investigation into the garda phone recordings scandal has been given an extension to complete its work.

Mr Justice Nial Fennelly wrote to Taoiseach Enda Kenny last Friday seeking an extension because of the volume of recordings to be listened to.

He was due to issue a final report by the end of next month, but has now been given until the end of the year.

The commission was established in 2014 to investigate the recording of non-emergency calls at garda stations.

It is also expected to determine whether taped calls disclose any evidence of unlawful or improper conduct by gardaí in connection with the investigation into the death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

The inquiry secured an earlier nine-month extension after publishing an interim report in November 2015. It had been directed to report back to the government by the end of last year.