Shatter says Wallace revelation was 'a matter of public importance'

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter says it was "a matter of public importance" that he reveal Independent TD Mick Wallace allegedly had penalty points wiped from his licence.

The Wexford TD said he would be making an official complaint about the claim made by Alan Shatter in a television interview last night.

He says it represented a serious abuse of the Minister's power and a breach of the Code of Conduct for Office Holders.

But Alan Shatter has this evening said Deputy Wallace has spent six months using confidential information to "denigrate and attempt to damage the reputations" of a number of people - including the entire Garda Force.

He says it was a matter of public importance that those viewing last night's programme be in a position to assess Mr Wallace's credibility.