Rabbitte: Unconscionably long time for Shatter to correct record

It took an “unconscionably long time” for Justice Minister Alan Shatter to correct his Dáil statement on garda whistleblowers, according to Labour’s Pat Rabbitte.

The minister for communications made the criticism of his cabinet colleague’s handling of the issue, despite backing him in a no confidence motion tabled by Fianna Fáil, which was debated in the Dáil last night.

“The controversy surrounding whistleblowers was unnecessarily allowed to go on for too long,” he said.

Mr Rabbitte pointed out that he said on radio five weeks ago that Mr Shatter’s October statement — that the whistleblowers did not co-operate with an inquiry — should be corrected.

“He did correct the record but after an unconscionably long, long time,” said Mr Rabbitte.

“Anyway, the wisdom of an earlier ministerial apology now seems a relatively minor controversy when compared to what has come to light on the weekend of the 20th and 21st,” he said, referring to the recording of phone conversations in garda stations.

Mr Rabbitte, the only Labour TD to speak on the motion last night, said several questions remain unanswered surrounding the taping issue, but that is why a Commission of Inquiry has been established.

Mr Shatter failed to address many of the outstanding questions in his speech. But he did put up a robust defence of his record in office, saying he is committed to a “reform agenda” that will include plans for a referendum on marriage equality as well as preparing a bill on victims’ rights.

He admitted that “like everybody else in this house, I don’t get everything right”, but said: “I couldn’t do what I do as minister for justice without the strong support of Fine Gael and Labour colleagues both within cabinet and outside cabinet.”

He said he is constantly accused “in a very personalised way of a variety of failures”, but that “none of us is perfect.”

And, he said, if he attempts to respond to any of the “taunts” or “in any occasion in this House, respond in kind to the manner in which I am treated, I’m accused of being arrogant, of being overbearing”.

Describing how, as a law student in the 1970s, he did voluntary work in the Free Legal Advice Centre, he said: “The passion to make positive change happen in this State still drives me as minister for justice.

“I have the privilege and opportunity to help to improve the lives of people in the office I hold.”