TDs: Has Shatter got access to secret files?

Coalition TDs have demanded to know if Alan Shatter has access to secret files on prominent politicians, journalists and public figures, as the controversy surrounding the justice minister continued to escalate.

The move came as the Data Protection Commission indicated it would launch an investigation into the way Mr Shatter used information given to him by the gardaí to attack independent TD Mick Wallace.

Labour deputy Kevin Humphreys was backed by Junior Transport Minister Alan Kelly in demanding Mr Shatter make an emergency statement to the Dáil on the affair.