THE POSSIBILITY THAT An Garda Síochána are tapping journalists’ phones has been strongly rejected by Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan.

Speaking today a passing-out ceremony at Templemore in Co Tipperary for 97 new garda recruits, she responded to a question on gardaí phone hacking by saying, “Absolutely not”.

“We very much respect the role of journalism and the role of the media in making sure that the public interest is best served. We are very determined and committed to continue in that vein,” she said.

Prior to the ceremony there was also the announcement of the proposed Bail Bill by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.

The proposed legislation would mean that courts would have further obligations in relation to granting individuals bail.

New powers to be extended to gardaí are also laid out under the legislation.

In 2014 there were more than 10,500 offences committed by those out on bail, including six homicides, nine sexual offences and two kidnappings.

Read: Woman smuggled mobile phone into Mountjoy internally for €500

Also: Six homicides were carried out by people on bail last year