New law will see communications data retained for national security reasons only

The new regime will dramatically reduce the ability of gardaí to access mobile phone records of suspects.

Graham Dwyer, 41, from Foxrock in Dublin, appears at Dun Laoghaire District Court in Dublin charged with the murder of Elaine O'Hara.

The retention of a person's communications data will only be done on national security grounds, under new emergency laws approved by the Government.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee published the general scheme of the legislation on Tuesday evening following the Cabinet meeting.