Updated 10.30

A war of words has erupted over the Justice Minister's decision to call in the Garda Ombudsman over the penalty points controversy.

Alan Shatter announced the move yesterday evening,

The Public Accounts Committee will meet today to discuss its next move - its chairman says one of the whistleblowers has contacted them and still wants to be heard there on Thursday.

This morning Minister Alan Shatter criticised a number of committee members over comments they've made on the issue.

Minister Shatter told Newstalk's Breakfast he doesn't think the committee is the place to inquire into the allegations:

Independent TD Shane Ross hit back on Breakfast, accusing the Minister of being too close to the Garda Commissioner.

And he says the PAC meeting will go ahead this evening, though members are awaiting legal advice before deciding how to proceed with evidence from a whistleblower.

Deputy Ross says he thinks it would be appropriate to hear from the whistleblower, and he hopes the PAC don't separate along political lines today:

PAC member Mary Lou McDonald has meanwhile told Newstalk's Pat Kenny Show the Minister's comments are bizarre:

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin says the public will have been "disquieted" by opinions expressed by members of the Public Accounts Committee in recent days:

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has warned the PAC not to lose credibility by making comments which could damage the Garda Ombudsman's investigation: