A government that instinctively protected a minister over the Garda whistleblower cannot be insulated from revelations

It is an ironic twist of this political saga that the man who was hailed as the most reforming minister of all time was brought down by behaviour that belongs to a different era.

The unquestioning reverence to those in powerful positions, the dismissive behaviour towards those who are not, and the stubborn adherence to convention, are now the legacy of the time in office of Alan Shatter, the one-time “progressive” minister for justice.

Reading through the Guerinreport into how serious allegations of Garda malpractice and corruption were handled, it is striking how little regard the authorities had for the power and responsibilities vested in them by the public they serve.