Alan Shatter is dismissing criticism about his handling of whistleblowers.

The under-fire minister is insisting that anyone who has concerns about the running of a public agency can feel free to come forward.

The minister is taking questions relating to his Defence brief in the Dáil this afternoon, as the government prepares to receive an independent report into his handling of allegations made by Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

Minister Shatter has dismissed concerns from Sinn Féin that whistleblowers won't feel safe bringing forward their concerns:

Meanwhile, members of cabinet have been commenting on the Data Protection Commissioner's finding that Alan Shatter broke the law last year with his comments about the independent TD Mick Wallace.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says his cabinet colleague has already admitted that what he did was wrong: