Gardaí are warning that the cost of the upcoming visit of American vice-president Mike Pence will compromise the safety and security of Irish citizens.

The apparent contradiction in her evidence to the commission adds an extra layer of questions over the phone tapping issue and alleged failures of communication that meant garda commissioner Martin Callinan and Justice Minister Alan Shatter were unaware of the scale and seriousness of what had taken place.

Two hundred promised Garda recruits will start training as early as December in a bid to reverse a continuing reduction in Garda numbers.