The appointment of inspectors to Independent News and Media today was described by High Court President, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, as “well justified and not disproportionate.”

The President of the High Court has fixed July 10 to hear the corporate watchdog's application to have inspectors appointed to investigate an alleged data breach and other issues at Independent News & Media.

Communications Minister Denis Naughten will take questions in the Dáil today over his contact with a PR agency over the proposed take over of Celtic Media by Independent News and Media (INM).

An alleged data breach within Independent News and Media represents a very significant threat to freedom of the press in Ireland, the Taoiseach has warned.

The Taoiseach has said legislation may be needed to protect journalistic sources after the alleged data breach at INM.

Ireland’s largest publishing firm, the stock market-listed Independent News and Media, has been thrown into crisis amid serious allegations by the State’s corporate enforcer that include claims of governance misdeeds and email hacks.

The Government is to face stiff questioning in the Dáil over the data breach scandal at Independent News and Media (INM) this week, with Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil expected to raise the issue.