Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are all aware that our diplomats and those who engage on our behalf and on behalf of the State need to have confidence in the Irish Government. Our partners need to have confidence that they can speak to us openly. While this question mark hangs over the process, the position is very serious. I do not get the sense the Department or the Minister are taking this as seriously as it should be taken. Our partners have to trust that what they say to us is confidential.

The fundamental question is when we will get to the bottom of this. There is an "if" in there as well. When does the Minister expect to get a report from the Secretary General of the Department on this matter? Will he give a commitment that, when he gets that report, it will be debated, either at a meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence or here in the Dáil? We have to ensure that this never occurs again. If we were in the middle of phase 2 negotiations, which are very specific on trade and future relations between Britain and the EU, can the Minister imagine what effect a document like this - even though he says it is not significant - might have? This is being reported all over Europe, all over Britain and all over Ireland, with people named, their comments mentioned, etc. This matter needs to be given the priority and afforded the importance it deserves. I would like the Minister to confirm that it has been. When will a report be completed by the Secretary General?

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