Counting the cost of Shatter's battles

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has inflamed the GSOC scandal, and will face tough questions in the Dáil this week, reports Political Reporter Juno McEnroe

ALAN SHATTER faces tough questions from TDs tomorrow amid the ongoing row over the suspected bugging of the garda watchdog’s offices. There were clear discrepancies between what the justice minister told the Dáil last week about the alleged bugging and what he himself was informed by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

Mr Shatter has picked more battles than most ministers. His relish for confrontation is matched by a continued brusque dismissal of criticism. However, while he will likely survive this second week of the GSOC bugging scandal, the row will leave not only his position damaged in the long term but also that of the ombudsman, as well as of the gardaí themselves.