The Government has defeated by 68 votes to 54 a Labour Party attempt in the Dáil to widen the terms of reference of the Morris tribunal, which is investigating allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal.

The motion sought to widen the terms of reference to include the response of the Garda, the Minister and Department of Justice, the office of the Attorney General and any other relevant State agencies to the allegations. Labour also demanded that costs be allowed for the McBrearty family to be legally represented at the inquiry.

The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, accused the Minister of being "disingenuous" in saying that the Government would be amenable to altering the terms of reference if something developed.