Shatter penalty points row could have consequences

Alan Shatter’s use of Garda information to reveal that the Independent TD, Mick Wallace, had penalty points waived could have consequences, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has indicated.

With a report by the data protection commissioner on the incident imminent, the spotlight is once again focused on how the justice minister operates.

Last year, Mr Shatter sparked uproar when he revealed during a live TV encounter with Mr Wallace that the Wexford deputy had penalty points for using a mobile phone while driving cancelled.

Mr Shatter later admitted the information had been passed onto him by then Garda commissioner Martin Callinan.

Amid reports that the data protection commissioner, Billy Hawkes, has decided in a draft ruling that Mr Shatter broke rules by releasing the information, Eamon Gilmore was pressed on whether this would have a damaging impact on Mr Shatter’s suitability for office. “We have to see what the data commissioner has to say first of all and then form a conclusion,” he said.

Mr Shatter had to apologise twice to Mr Wallace for the incident.

It is believed a negative finding against Mr Shatter by Mr Hawkes could leave him open to legal action by Mr Wallace.