Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be very clear, this is not a criticism of my officials. I believe they behaved entirely appropriately in how they dealt with this and indeed showed great leadership. The email was not made available to me or the Cabinet. It was not passed on to me because all my officials believed all the risks outlined in that were risks that were readily identifiable to them. There was nothing in this that was new to them. They knew the risks associated with this and still believed it was the appropriate action to take. The email pointed out that it was a matter for my Department to make the decision. The email came post the decision and post the announcement of the decision.