Attorney General Máire Whelan has been added to a Cabinet sub-committee established to oversee justice and garda reform.

The Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform was set up this week to primarily oversee the development of an independent Garda authority, but sources said it will also consider other issues that may arise.

It was originally announced that the committee would comprise Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and another Labour Party minister, which has now been confirmed as Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte, who previously served as his party' s spokesman on justice while in Opposition.

It is not yet known if the committee has only been established on a temporary or permanent basis.

“As it stands the committee was set up to get a job done, notably the Garda authority but other issues that may arise,” a source said.

A Government statement earlier this week said the committee will “oversee the development of proposals for an independent police authority, and other associated reforms to the policing and justice system”.

“It will make formal proposals to the Government for its consideration and final approval.”

The establishment of the committee sparked a dispute between Fine Gael and Labour earlier this week.

At a briefing for political correspondents, Labour’s spokeswoman said her party had specifically requested the committee be set up.

This was later strongly denied by those on the Fine Gael side, who insisted it was unrealistic for the junior Coalition partner to instruct the Taoiseach to sit on a committee. However, Labour has stuck to its position.

The independent Garda authority was a Labour initiative, and Mr Gilmore this week told his TDs and senators to claim credit for it.

ENDS