The penalty points row between the Justice Minister and Independent TD Mick Wallace is expected to spill over into the Dáil this week.

Alan Shatter has come under increasing pressure to explain how he obtained private information about the Wexford TD.

Mr Shatter declared on television last Thursday, that Mick Wallace was stopped by Gardaí for driving using his phone last year, and was warned but did not receive penalty points.

Mick Wallace claims that the revelation represents an abuse of the MinisterÂ’s powers however, the Justice Minister says he made the remarks as a 'matter of public interest'.

Minister of State Brian Hayes has come to the defence of the Justice Minister: