Alan Shatter welcomes apology

Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter has welcomed an apology from Johnny Ronan after the property developer had quoted the Nazi phrase “Arbeit Macht Frei” in his submission to the Oireachtas Banking Committee.

Mr Ronan had come under mounting pressure to withdraw the remark and apologise, with Mr Shatter claiming the use of the “offensive and despicable phrase” had been “totally inappropriate”.

Mr Ronan said sorry for the use of the “inappropriate analogy” in the context of his dealings with Nama. “I apologise for any offence which has been caused by quoting the phrase “Arbeit Macht Frei” (work will set you free) at the end of my submission to the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry,” Mr Ronan said. “It was genuinely unintended.