The justice minister has said she was shocked at the revelation a serving garda chief held a secret meeting in a carpark with a TD in an alleged attempt to discredit a garda whistleblower.

The HSE cannot name and shame the consultants whose failure to sign off on forms is costing the State €61m a year — because doing so could amount to defamation.

Last week, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) published a Report on Public Sector Allowances, with recommendations on politicians’ allowances.