The Tanaiste will discuss the review with O'Toole . . . the chief of the new Garda Inspectorate . . . in the New Year, a justice department spokesperson has confirmed.

Meanwhile, McDowell will meet with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern tomorrow to examine what measures are needed to reduce the frequency with which bail is being granted to those involved in serious crime, including gun and drug-related activities. The meeting on bail follows revelations that 23 out of 24 known associates of top crime boss Martin 'Marlo' Hyland had been granted bail despite opposition from the gardai.

McDowell is exploring ways to fast-track trials for those charged with serious drugs crimes, the Sunday Tribune understands. This would circumvent the bail issue, where judges release some serious criminals before their trials.

This move would involve increasing garda support staff to quicken the preparation of books of evidence, reducing the time criminals remain at large before they get to court.

Detectives probing last week's murder of Hyland and apprentice plumber Anthony Campbell are now investigating links between disaffected members of Hyland's Finglas gang and a well-known Tallaght-based drug dealer with whom Hyland had recently fallen out, the Sunday Tribune has learned.

In January, O'Toole will be asked to assess how the witness protection programme is currently operated and what steps can be taken to improve it. The programme, which was was set up 10 years ago, cost 1.1m in 2003 and 2004, but only 540,000 was spent last year.

"The declining sum gives an indication of the declining use of the scheme, " Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe said. Fine Gael wants the scheme expanded, although there are considerable difficulties in attracting people willing to give evidence against criminal associates. Those admitted to the programme are relocated, often along with family members , and may also be given new identities.

Fr Peter McVerry, director of the Welcome Home charity, this weekend backed an expansion. "There are people in criminal gangs who want out.

Criminal gangs are held together by loyalty which is based on fear. A witness protection programme would eliminate that fear and help to break up these gangs."

McVerry also called for legislative change to make it easier to convict serious criminals.

"When the IRA was a serious threat, it was sufficient to convict a person of membership if a Garda Chief Superintendent went into the Special Criminal Court and said he believed a person was a member and was able to give corroborating evidence. Could we not have the same legislation in place for these gang members?"