Questions raised about using information on public figures

Justice Minister Alan Shatter must quit because he can no longer be trusted with sensitive information, opposition parties have warned.

As some Labour TDs united with Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin deputies in demands for Mr Shatter to make an emergency statement to the Dáil regarding his disclosure of garda details on a political opponent, questions were raised about what other information he held on public figures.

Labour TD Kevin Humphreys has promised to try to force Mr Shatter to answer questions on the controversy in the Dáil by tabling special questions.

The move came as Fianna Fáil stepped up their call for Mr Shatter to resign after he revealed during a TV debate that Independent TD Mick Wallace had been let off roadside penalty points.

The party’s justice spokesman, Niall Collins, said the issue went much further than information on Mr Wallace.

“Minister Shatter has completely missed the point in trying to excuse his behaviour. He abused his position as Minister for Justice. He must acknowledge that, apologise for it and resign his position.

“The roles of Ministers for Justice and Defence are extremely sensitive and involve receiving intelligence and information relating to gang crime, paramilitary activity and ongoing operations. Ministers holding these offices normally have the respect and dignity necessary to receive this information and not divulge sensitive, or in this case personal, information for political gain.

“Alan Shatter’s actions were a fundamental breach of trust. His explanation raises more questions about how he came to have the information concerned and does nothing to deal with the public fears that personal and sensitive information is not safe in his hands,” he said.

Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have both said they may put down a Dáil motion of no confidence in the minister.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Pádraig Mac Lochlainn also condemned Mr Shatter’s actions.

“This debacle raises serious issues about the behaviour of the Minister for Justice, who has access to the most sensitive of information regarding citizens. He has clearly crossed the line in using his access to such information for political purposes.

“Minister Shatter needs to make a full public apology for using personal information in an effort to damage a political opponent,” he said.

Mr Shatter has insisted he has done nothing wrong and was merely telling the truth about Mr Wallace in the interest of transparency.

The minister said he was “surprised” when Mr Wallace’s name came up during a general briefing on penalty point discretion.