A full report into the arrest of two women protestors last week and the alleged rape comments made by two gardaí is to be completed within days.
No disciplinary action has been taken against any of the gardaí involved in the incident, and a local community group has called for their immediate suspension.
Five gardaí who were involved in the arrests at the Corrib Gas compound in Co Mayo on Thursday have now been interviewed as part of the internal garda investigation.
The interviews were conducted yesterday by Supt Gearóid Begley from Tuam.
He was appointed to report on the events surrounding the arrests and the remarks, which are alleged to have been made by a number of gardaí.
The remarks include references to rape and deportation.
They were recorded on a video camera which had been confiscated from one of the two women. It had not been fully switched off while it was being taken in a patrol car to Belmullet Garda Station.
Supt Begley's report will be submitted to Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan within the next few days. He will then decide what further action is to be taken.
Pobal Chill Chomain, a local community organisation in the area, called on garda management to immediately remove the officers who are alleged to have been involved in the incident from active duty, pending the outcome of an independent public inquiry into the policing of the Corrib Gas project.
Minister moves to reassure public
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has reassured the public that anyone who is a victim of a sexual offence will have their complaint investigated in a diligent manner by gardaí.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Shatter said any complaint to gardaí will be investigated fully.
He said: 'I want to assure anyone who is a victim of a sexual offence or rape that they will get a full and proper considered approach from the Garda Síochána.
'They should not have any doubt about that. If they are a victim of any sexual offence it will be fully and properly investigated.
'It is of huge importance that in all circumstances in which members of the Garda Síochána are interacting with the general community that they are considered in the approach they take and respectful of all individuals with whom they are dealing.'
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said he was shocked when he heard the contents of the alleged recording of gardaí.
Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Mr Gilmore said rape is a heinous crime and was not something that should be laughed at.
He also said no one should jump to conclusions about the incident until the investigations into the matter are carried out.
Garda groups respond
The Association of Garda Superintendents and the group representing rank and file officers, the Garda Representative Association, have said that they do not condone comments that attack women or women's rights.
The Superintendents' Association said the comments are isolated and do not reflect the mindset of the vast majority of the members of the force.
At the annual conference for superintendents, President James Smith said gardaí were sensitive to the needs of victims and would continue to investigate crimes of a sexual nature with sensitivity and professionalism.
Meanwhile, the GRA said that the incident in Co Mayo should be viewed in isolation.
General Secretary PJ Stone said the Garda Síochána cannot be seen as misogynist.
It has never been appropriate to make suggestive comments about rape; not in 1922 and not now, he added.
