The Taoiseach has confirmed that a number of senior gardaí have made so-called 'protected disclosures' to the Justice Minister.

It is understood that the whistleblowing relates to the treatment of a previous whistleblower, whom they allege was subjected to a major campaign of false and damaging allegations.

The Irish Examiner newspaper has also reported that one of the officers making the disclosure now admits his role in the campaign to discredit the whistleblower.

The paper suggests a "wide circle" of officers is understood to have been involved in the campaign.

The campaign itself is said to have involved measures such as the creation of an intelligence file, monitoring of the whistleblower's use of the Garda Pulse computer system, and the briefing of "elements of the media" about the whistleblower.

Enda Kenny confirmed to the Dáil that Minister Frances Fitzgerald now has to assess the claims made.

"In these circumstances, and in line with statutory obligations [...] the House would not expect me to go into detail about who has made these disclosures, or the nature of the allegations contained within them at this particular time," he explained.

"The Tánaiste will consider now how best to proceed in relation to these protected disclosures, and take whatever action may be deemed appropriate."