Independent TD Mick Wallace has said that he is making a complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission regarding comments made about him by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.
On last night's Primetime programme, Mr Shatter said he had been advised that Mr Wallace had been using his mobile while driving but had received only a Garda warning.
Mr Wallace said he was unaware of the incident but Mr Shatter’s allegation represented a serious abuse of his powers.
In a statement this evening Mr Shatter said he had raised the issue as a matter of public importance so that people could assess Mr Wallace's credibility.
"By making a pretence... that gardaí should not use their discretionary powers in ease of a member of the general public whilst concealing the fact that Garda discretion had been exercised in relation to himself, Deputy Wallace was last night effectively asserting that discretionary consideration afforded to him by An Garda Síochána should not be extended to others,” the statement said.
