Tánaiste expresses support as Shatter prepares to make statement in the Dáil

The Tánaiste has expressed his full support for the Justice Minister Alan Shatter, who is to make a statement at 7pm tonight on the Mick Wallace affair in the Dáil.

Minister Shatter has been severely criticised after he revealed that Deputy Mick Wallace benefited from Garda discretion by avoiding penalty points.

Eamon Gilmore said the gardaí have to be able to use their common sense when it comes to policing.

However he feels the privacy issues highlighted by the controversy do need to be debated.

"I think there is a desire that information which is available to the gardaí is not used in the course of political debate however I think we do have to put that in the context of the cut and thrust of political debate," he said.

"I think there is also a wider issues about privacy which applies not just to politicians but I think also applies in a wider society sense and applies also to the media and I think it's good thing we're having that debate."

However Junior Transport Minister said that the Justice Minister should still make a statement in the Dáil to explain his row with Mick Wallace.

Alan Kelly said that he should make a statement in the Dáil as soon as he can - so the Government can move on with more important work.

"I do think he needs to deal with this issues in a timely fashion and a quick way and I'm sure he will for everyone's sake," he said.

"More substantial and more difficult issues are facing this government and I just think we need to move on."