08/05/2014

Minister Alan Shatter Resigns

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter has resigned.

Minister Shatter presented the Taoiseach Enda Kenny with his letter of resignation on Wednesday afternoon.

It is understood that Minister Shatter's resignation is connected to the publication of a report into allegations made against An Garda Siochana, which was published yestersday.

In his resignation letter, which can be read here (PDF), the minister said that he was "anxious" to avoid any controversy the report would cause distracting from the work of the government or creating difficulties for Fine Gael.

It is understood that Minister Shatter's resignation has been accepted, with Frances Fitzgerald, current Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, will succeed Shatter as Minister for Justice.

(MH)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 March 2014
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan Resigns
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins has responded to the "shock" resignation of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan. Mr Collins said it "is the latest depressing chapter in a crisis that has been going on for months".
08 January 2013
Minister Denies Garda Cuts
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said there was "no reality or possibility" that An Garda Síochána would be forced to cut staff numbers by 1,00 to 1,500 due to reduced budgets in 2013. He also said that the reduced cuts would mean officers will not be paid this year were "simply wrong".
29 October 2013
Tanaiste Calls For Gay Adoption Legislation Ahead Of Marriage Referrendum
Legislation to allow the adoption of children by gay parents should be established ahead of a referendum on same-sex marriage, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has said.
03 April 2014
Justice Minister Orders Prison Phone Investigation
Justice Minister Alan Shatter has requested the Inspector of Prisons to carry out an investigation after it emerged that thousands of conversations between solicitors and prisoners were recorded.
26 February 2014
FF Leader Calls For Publication Of Garda Inspectorate Report
The Justice Minister Alan Shatter should immediately order publication of the Garda Inspectorate Report, Fianna Fáil (FF) leader Micheál Martin has said. The report was commissioned following the penalty points controversy within An Garda Siochána but has not yet been published.