The parliamentary committee examining the corruption watchdog's failed pursuit of Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen has been advised it has no power to publicly release explosive phone taps and other investigation material.

It is understood legal advice to the committee conducting the inquiry says nothing in the federal Telecommunications (Intercept and Access) Act prevents it from releasing the material, but the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act does.

Margaret Cunneen was the subject of an ICAC investigation. Credit:Daniel Munoz

This is because Section 64 (2) of the ICAC Act states that the committee cannot use its hearings to reconsider matters ICAC has investigated.

MPs on the committee were given a briefing on the NSW Crown Solicitor's advice on Wednesday and are due to formally consider it before the next scheduled public hearing on Monday.