The Fine Gael Spokesperson on Children called on the Minister for Justice to resign this afternoon.

Alan Shatter accused Dermot Ahern of launching an unwarranted attack on Jim Higgins MEP and Brendan Howlin TD for highlighting malpractice among Gardaí in Donegal.

The exposé led to the creation of the Morris Tribunal.

Speaking in the Dail today, Alan Shatter said Jim Higgins and Brendan Howlin should be viewed as "heroes" who acted "in the best interests of the public".

"The truth is this house and the state owes a debt of gratitude to Deputy Higgins and Deputy Howlin for the work they did on this issue," Mr Shatter said.

"The truth is, sir, the Morris Tribunal Reports - a whole succession of them - have resulted in revelations of improper Garda conduct, which should never have occurred, of individuals being wrongly targeted and persecuted and of individuals' lives being destroyed."