Shatter loses appeal on data protection law breach
The former Justice Minister Alan Shatter has lost an appeal against a finding that he breached data protection law.
Last May, the Data Protection Commissioner ruled that Mr Shatter unlawfully divulged personal information about TD Mick Wallace during a row about the quashing of penalty points on RTE'S Prime Time.
Speaking on Prime Time in 2013 Alan Shatter, the then Justice Minister, revealed that his political opponent Mick Wallace had been cautioned for using his mobile phone while driving.
The revelation was made during a debate on the quashing of penalty points.
Last May the Data Protection Commissioner ruled that Mr Shatter had breached the Data Protection Act by disclosing information regarding members of the Gardaí using their discretion.
Shatter appealed the ruling claiming there was evidence Billy Hawkes had prejudged the issue, but today Judge Jacqueline Linnane said it was her view that the Commissioner had considered the matter fully.
She also found that Mr Shatter did not have proper legal standing to bring the appeal as his actions at the time had been carried out in his capacity as Justice Minister – a position he no longer holds.
