The government has confirmed the terms of reference for the inquiry into the garda tapes.

The inquiry by Supreme Court judge Nial Fennelly will include a specific investigation into the taping of conversations surrounding the death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, and to determine whether gardaí acted unlawfully or inappropriately in investigating her murder.

The inquiry will also include an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan two weeks ago.

It will also investigate the handling of Mr. Callinan's letter to the Department of Justice on the subject of the garda tapes, which was not supplied to the Minister for Justice for over a fortnight.

The main issues to be investigated are:

• the operation of telephone recording systems, to record calls other than 999 calls to the Emergency Call Answering Service, at a large number of Garda Stations over many years
• the specific implications of the taping related to the Garda investigation into the death of Ms Sophie Toscan Du Plantier in County Cork in December 1996, and related matters
• how these matters were dealt with by the responsible authorities,
• the sequence of events leading up to the retirement of the former Garda Commissioner in March 2014

The government also approved the membership and terms of reference for the new Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform.

These include to oversee the development of proposals for an independent police authority.

The membership of the Committee is the Taoiseach (Chair), Tánaiste, Minister for Justice and the Minister for Communications. The Attorney-General will also attend meetings of the Cabinet Committee.

The Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin says the Commission will also be allowed to expand its remit should new information come to light.