'It was never my intention to cause any upset' says apologetic minister

Pressure continues to mount on the Justice Minister Alan Shatter despite finally apologising to the two Cavan Garda whistleblowers.

In a lengthy statement Alan Shatter also corrected the Dáil record that Sergeant Maurice McCabe and former Garda John Wilson did not co-operate with an inquiry into the penalty points issue.
The move appears to have appeased the Minister's government partners, with the Labour Party seemingly happy with his belated apology. However he came under sustained attack from opposition parties and independents calling for him to resign. Deputy Mick Wallace even outlined 30 reasons why the Minister should stand down.  

“I have looked at the information again provided to me and considered the matter in detail,' he told the Dáil this morning.

'I previously stated on the Dáil record that I expected that Sergeant McCabe would be interviewed during the course of the O’Mahony investigation and I note that he fully engaged with the Garda Inspectorate in the work undertaken by them, to prepare the report which is the subject matter of today’s debate.

'I want to say very clearly, having re-examined the facts and further reconsidered the matter, I believe that more should have been done during the course of the O’Mahony investigation to obtain information from, and ascertain the views and experiences of the whistleblowers. Further and better efforts could and should have been made to secure productive engagement with them in the investigation of their claims.
“I therefore wish to correct the record of this house, that the whistleblowers did not co-operate with the garda investigations that took place. I acknowledge that this statement was incorrect,' he continued.

'It was never my intention to mislead the house and I believe that it is appropriate that I apologise to both and withdraw the statements made. It was never my intention to cause any upset and if any upset was caused, I hope that my correcting of the record of the Dáil today will put this matter to rest. In doing so I again acknowledge as I have done many times previously, that the reports published and the findings and recommendations which have been made in relation to the fixed notice charge system and penalty points, are in response to allegations made Sgt McCabe and supported by former Garda Wilson.”