Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Because of concerns which arose, I addressed the House on the first matter last week and answered questions. I do not intend to revisit all of that again. With hindsight, do I think it was a mistake to mention the incident regarding Deputy Wallace? I explained my reasoning but put simply, of course I do. Is it something for which I owe Deputy Wallace an apology? It is and I have already apologised. Would I do it again? No, I would not.

The very particular circumstances in which the matter arose meant that it was absurd to contend that it had implications for the manner in which I deal with sensitive matters from the gardaí. No allegation can be credibly made of me ever having misused sensitive information or information relating to national security, nor of using such information for any personal political benefit.

I was asked the origin of the information and truthfully replied. Had I not done so, I would have been accused of covering up something. Once I did reply, I was accused of landing the Garda Commissioner in it. As the commissioner cannot respond publicly to criticism voiced, it is important that I explain that I am advised that it was only in the context of the controversy involving the use of Garda discretion that Deputy Wallace's car phone incident was recalled by a member of the force and brought to the attention of the commissioner who mentioned it to me. The Commissioner never suggested I mention the incident without Deputy Wallace himself first mentioning it publicly. So it is unfair for the commissioner to be the object of criticism. Any criticism should be directed at me, not the commissioner.

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