TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has offered a full apology to Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
As he faced down an attempt to collapse the Irish Government over the handling of allegations of a smear campaign against the officer, Mr Kenny said the unfounded child sex abuse slur was appalling.
"I therefore offer a full apology to Maurice McCabe and his family for the treatment that was meted out to them," the Taoiseach said.
A judge-led tribunal is to be held into allegations that top gardaí orchestrated a propaganda campaign against Mr McCabe among journalists and politicians.
Hearings are to be held in public, with the inquiry expected to be extended to cover other Garda whistleblowers who have alleged victimisation.
An independent, international policing expert will also be brought in to carry out a "root and branch" audit of the Garda, focusing on its administration, ethos and culture.
The Independent Alliance said it had secured agreement for the oversight reform, despite the existence of the Garda Inspectorate.
Mr Kenny defended his government's handling of allegations of a smear campaign following days of obfuscation over who knew the detail of the unfounded slur faced by the McCabe family.
"The Government's sole objective in responding to the recent protected disclosures has been and remains to get to the full truth," he said.
Judge Peter Charleton, of the Supreme Court, is expected to lead the tribunal.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who was approached three years ago by Mr McCabe about policing issues, said the Government's approach to setting up an inquiry into the affair had been appalling.
The opposition leader said the handling of the scandal had been "casual and incompetent" but his party would continue to prop up the minority government.
Mr Kenny was forced to call for a vote of confidence in his government after moves by Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams to bring down the coalition.
"The latest scandal to engulf the government results from Fine Gael's perpetual disgraceful handling of the campaign of vilification against Maurice McCabe and other Garda whistleblowers," Mr Adams said.
