The Garda Commissioner and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission have agreed new protocols for sharing information and co-operating with each other.
Gardaí have agreed to provide information to the Ombudsman within 30 days in all but exceptional circumstances.
In those cases, a written explanation will be provided for the delay, along with a timeframe for the availability of the requested information.
Gardaí have also agreed to provide the Ombudsman with access to the Pulse computer system at the highest level.
This will be done either through the garda officer attached to the Ombudsman's office or out-of-hours through the district officer on duty.
The protocols outline procedures to be operated for the Ombudsman investigators when searching garda stations and dealing with complaints and allegations by gardaí against designated GSOC officers, as well as whistleblower provisions for gardaí reporting alleged malpractice or corruption.
The protocols have been put in place following GSOC's publicly aired concerns about delays in receiving information from the gardaí to assist them in investigations.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter told the Dáil this afternoon he has set up a committee within his department to ensure there are no further difficulties between gardaí and GSOC.
