The Garda Commissioner is defending the appointment of her husband to a team investigating alleged leaks of information to journalists.

Detective Superintendent Jim McGowan is one of two senior Gardaí leading the investigation.

A garda superintendent has already been arrested and questioned as part of the probe.

Speaking at a Garda graduation ceremony in Templemore, Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan denied that any tapping or monitoring of journalists' phones was taking place.

She said: "I think it is a matter of public record that my husband is a Detective Superintendent in An Garda Síochána.

"Any roles he carries out in An Garda Síochána is in that capacity."