Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will start by joining the Leader of the Opposition in expressing my condolences to Canada and the Canadian people on what was an appalling attack in Toronto yesterday. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has been in touch with the Canadian authorities to pass on the regrets of the Government. I would like to use this opportunity to express solidarity with the Canadian people and our revulsion, as a State, at what happened in Canada yesterday.

I am conscious in speaking about this matter that it is before the courts and relates to an affidavit that none of us has seen. We have been warned by Mr. Justice Peter Kelly that the matter is sub judice and we all need to have regard to that warning and be careful what we say in the House on a matter that is before the courts. It is also important to state that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Denis Naughten, did not do any favours for anyone. He did not do any favours for Independent News and Media, INM, or Denis O'Brien. In fact, his action was to delay the proposed merger between INM and Celtic Media by referring it to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. I presume that is not what INM would have wanted. Presumably, it would have preferred if the Minister had not deferred the merger and referred it to the BAI.

With regard to the telephone call with the lobbyist, Mr. Ó Neachtáin, which I believe was brief, the Minister indicated he would follow the law and be guided by official advice, which is what any Minister would do. I am not sure if that constitutes confidential information but in my mind it does not because that is what Ministers will do, namely, follow the law and be guided by official advice. The Minister cannot be held personally responsible for what other people do with that information. It may be the case that somebody gave that information to some shareholders and not others but that was down the line and it is not fair to expect any individual to be responsible for what third, fourth or fifth parties may do with information that was imparted to them.

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