Kenny gives Shatter his backing
Enda Kenny has dismissed calls for Alan Shatter to resign over his use of confidential garda information against a political opponent during a live television broadcast.
The Taoiseach said he was not briefed in advance about the Justice Minister’s attack on Independent TD Mick Wallace last week during a on-air debate about the penalty points controversy.
But he said the information – given to Mr Shatter in a special garda briefing - was relevant, and he denied suggestions that files might be held on other politicians, public figures or journalists.
“It’s outrageous for you to make a claim or insinuation that the Minister for Justice is going around collecting files on individuals or members of this House … that’s an outrageous claim,” he said.
Mr Kenny was responding to a charge by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin that the minister “crossed the line” by abusing his office and politicising the country’s police force.
“This use of this private information about a Dail deputy to undermine him in a debate is fundamentally wrong,” Mr Martin said.
“I think it does represent the politicisation of An Garda Siochana, which in itself is also reprehensible.”
The Fianna Fail leader said Mr Shatter had shown contempt for democratic norms and accused the Taoiseach of compounding the controversy by backing him.
“It had a background threatening innuendo, that if you question us too much we’ll get you,” he said.
“That was the import really of what he was saying. That is what is distasteful about it.”
Mr Kenny insisted his justice minister was not undermining Mr Wallace but undermining his argument.
Mr Shatter is due to make a statement and answer questions in the Dail this evening.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said Mr Shatter had a very special brief with unique access to sensitive information on other citizens.
“His actions in using this information to smear a political opponent does raise serious questions about his suitability for office, because it is an abuse of office,” he said.
Mr Adams asked for an independent investigation.
Independent TD John Halligan said the incident was dangerous for democracy.
Mr Shatter and Mr Wallace clashed last week on RTE Prime Time over whether gardai should be allowed use their discretion in quashing minor motoring offences or fixed charges.
The Justice Minister revealed during the debate that Mr Wallace was caught by gardai last year at the Five Lamps junction in Dublin’s north inner city for using a mobile phone while driving but was not fined or charged.
The Independent TD has lodged complaints with the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) and the Data Protection Minister.
