All seven are being questioned at three garda stations in Co Donegal in the north west of Ireland.

"We can confirm that some of those arrested this morning in Co Donegal were BBC journalists," a BBC spokesman said. "They were working on a BBC Northern Ireland current affairs investigation and had full editorial authorisation under the BBC's guidelines. The other parties present were fully aware that they were with BBC journalists," he said.

Gardai said the men were aged between 30 and 48 years old.

Two are being held at Burnfoot garda station, two at Letterkenny, and three at Milford. They are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

A garda spokeswoman said: "The arrests relate to ongoing investigations into paramilitary activity."

Gardai confirmed a further four men were arrested in connection with the investigation.

The journalists were working on an investigation for BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme looking into Real IRA activity in the area.

It is understood the BBC has provided legal representation for the men, who can be held in custody for up to 72 hours.

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley confirmed the men were NUJ members.