Labour Party defended Shatter after assurances given

Labour Ministers defended Minister for Justice Alan Shatter at a meeting of the parliamentary party amid criticism from some backbenchers of his handling of the Garda bugging controversy.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore told a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party he sought reassurances from Mr Shatter that his statement to the Dáil, when he said he only learned of the recording of calls at Garda stations earlier this week, was correct.

It was also stressed Labour Ministers at Cabinet fully trusted Mr Shatter, and believed the issue of recordings at Garda stations is of significance, even though some TDs characterised it as a “bottle of smoke”.

It is understood Mr Gilmore was asked at the meeting if Mr Shatter's version of events was correct by Wicklow TD Anne Ferris and Senator John Gilroy.

There was also a widespread perception that Attorney General Máire Whelan, a Labour appointee, was being dragged into the affair to protect Mr Shatter, and this was also raised at the meeting.

“We have to be sure what was said happened, actually happened,” one TD said. “We’re not sure yet if it is a bottle of smoke or what it is.”

It is understood the role of Ms Whelan was raised by numerous deputies and Senators.

"She is not a TD, there was some concern about that," another deputy said. Yet another added: "Fine Gael are spinning against the Attorney General to drag her into it."

It was claimed the issue of recording calls only came up when Ms Whelan was doing a quarterly report for the Government. “She was only doing her job,” said one source.

Some in Labour speculated that Ms Whelan’s role was highlighted to help protect Mr Shatter, since Labour would not push for his resignation if Fine Gael could demand the same of the Attorney General.

There were also questions as to why Martin Callinan resigned after being informed of how serious Taoiseach Enda Kenny believed the taping of calls to be, given Mr Callinan had stopped the practice and informed the Government.