In a statement issued this weekend, Hawkes said: "I take very seriously allegations contained in recent editions of the Sunday Tribune that confidential personal information has been provided illegally to insurance companies, in some cases via private investigators, by sources within An Garda S�och�na and the Department of Social and Family Affairs."

Hawkes confirmed in his statement that similar allegations had been conveyed directly to my office in the recent past".

He also welcomed the garda commissioner's appointment of assistant commissioner Rock to investigate the allegations made in relation to the garda�.

Hawkes has already met with Rock on foot of the allegations made in this newspaper and he has also been in contact with the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

"The department has assured me that the allegations of improper disclosure of personal information will be thoroughly investigated."

The data-protection commissioner conducted an audit of that government department in 2006 and he is satisfied that "the department had tightened up its data security procedures and taken action against employees found to have improperly accessed client information".

In his statement, Hawkes said that compliance by the insurance industry with data-protection rules may need to be improved in a number of areas.

He said he would be meeting insurance industry representatives next week and planned to carry out audits of companies, including those named in our recent stories, over the coming months. This newspaper has disclosed how private investigators working for insurance companies have accessed people's personal information.

Hawkes said: "I am determined to use the powers given to me by law to ensure that people's rights are respected by all the organisations concerned."