The acting Garda Commissioner says senior managers within the force are fully supportive of the whistleblower Maurice McCabe.
Noirin O'Sullivan says gardaí want all members of the force to feel free to bring forward any issues they want to raise.
She says dissenting voices must be listened to if the force is to regain public confidence.
She says senior managers within the force are in regular contact with Maurice McCabe - a claim denied by independent TD, Finian McGrath.
Her comments follow reports that Maurice McCabe has been told he has "ruined" the force by blowing the whistle on alleged malpractice.
Commissioner O'Sullivan says senior officials have contacted Sergeant McCabe to discuss those reports with him.
She also says she is determined that internal complaints will be treated properly in future.
