The Garda Inspectorate has recommended that steps be taken to ensure that gardaí no longer show undue deference to members of the Catholic Church when dealing with cases of child sexual abuse.

The head of the Garda Inspectorate Kathleen O'Toole has today published 29 recommendations to improve the way gardaí deal with sex crime involving children.

The report was commissioned after two reports into clerical abuse in Dublin and Cloyne.

The recommendations include ensuring that gardaí take every opportunity to ensure that there is no place for deferential treatment in modern Irish policing.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter praised the gardaí for the progress being made and said that the Government is determined to learn the mistakes of the past.