The Justice Minister will appoint a former judge to oversee the processing of claims of Garda misconduct.

Legal counsel has been examining over 300 individual claims of alleged misconduct in the force and is to recommend if any of them require a tribunal of inquiry.

Frances Fitzgerald says she has received the first batch of assessments from the legal counsel, and believes a former judge should “advise on the preparation of the letter and the communications to the complainants,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

The Justice Minister said she believes “it is better to take time now to provide complete reassurance on the probity and the independence on the entire process from the start to finish.

“I believe that is the best way to communicate the decisions from the council,” she added.