Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assume the Senator's comment was in response to the golfgate issue, when I was trying to explain that no one is above the law. That is the context in which I made those comments. This report says very clearly that there was no breach of the law or regulations, or certainly no evidence to suggest that. There was a breach of social distancing guidelines which was not acceptable, should not have happened and has been acknowledged and apologised for.

With regard to Senator Ardagh's question, I did not take a drink on the night. When I came back to the Department, I called through the big open plan area one comes in the back of Department and walks through. That is where the UN team were. I called in. Some people were packing up to go home. It was quite late at that stage. It was approximately 10.15 p.m. Some people had gone home and others were at their desks tidying up. Some people were on the phone and others were on computers. It was a work space. That is what I saw when I came in.

Those are the two questions I was asked. I will leave the €2,000 issue to the Secretary General.