Government’s ‘double standards’ in Collins affair

The Government has been accused of "double standards" in its reaction to revelations that Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins made representations on behalf of a convicted drug dealer, asking for leniency in his sentencing.

The Limerick TD’s party colleague, Michael McGrath, said the practice should be dealt with “collectively” by all parties because “many politicians down the years have made representations — including the Taoiseach, in a family law case”.

He was referring to a case where Enda Kenny wrote to the then justice minister, Alan Shatter, in late 2011, asking to “know the present position” in relation to a divorce case of one of his constituents.