Gardaí are investigating claims of sexual abuse made against a former government minister.

It is understood a number of alleged victims have come forward in recent months.

Their claims are now being investigated by a Specialist Child Protection unit. These allegations date back to the 1980s.

Both a male and a female victim have come forward separately, and made statements to gardaí in the last six months.

Their claims relate to incidents in Dublin and one in the Midlands.

They are now being handled by specialist officers from the Garda National Protection Services Bureau - a division set up to investigate crimes of a sexual nature and domestic violence.

A garda spokesperson said they would not comment on individual cases - however its believed the investigation is in its early stages, and the former minister has not yet been interviewed by gardaí.

Kevin Doyle is the group political editor with Independent News and Media (INM).

He told Newstalk Lunchtime there are several strands to this investigation.