Taoiseach: Information on Wallace was 'relevant' to Shatter's argument

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dismissed opposition party calls for the Justice Minister Alan Shatter to resign.

Fianna Fáil said Mr Shatter's decision to reveal that Mick Wallace benefited from Garda discretion is "an abuse of office and an abuse of power".

Sinn Féin is accusing him of trying to "smear a political opponent" and called on the minister to step down.

He is to make a statement and answer questions on the matter in the Dáil at 6pm this evening.

Enda Kenny said Mr Shatter is not going around collecting files on members of the Oireachtas.

He said: "The situation is that the information was relevant to the argument being made by Deputy Wallace."