The garda watchdog said it wanted expanded powers, claiming it should be able to review minor disputes all the way up to investigating the Garda commissioner.

Tensions between gardaí and the police ombudsman escalated last night after Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan demanded to know why gardaí were “suspected of complicity” by the watchdog in a communications attack on its offices.

An Oireachtas committee is to contact the Garda Ombudsman today, calling on it to make a statement on dramatic reports its offices have been bugged.