Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important issue. Two weeks ago during a debate with the Tánaiste I asked him if he had ever leaked confidential Cabinet information. In his response he prevaricated and said "nothing of this nature". In other words, there was an acceptance that information from the Cabinet had been given out.

Has the Taoiseach ever conducted a review of the security of documentation within his Department or a review of the security of Cabinet information? Has he considered carrying out a review of leaks from his Department under the previous Administration? We had a situation during the term of the last Government where a foreign minister accused the then Taoiseach, now Tánaiste, of leaking in negotiations with the British Government. That is a very serious accusation and I want to know if the Taoiseach has done any checks with regard to leaks of that nature.

Last week I asked the Tánaiste if he had friends over for drinks in the Taoiseach's residence in Farmleigh during the lockdown restrictions in May but he did not answer my question. It is a very serious question and I am surprised that he did not answer it given that Ministers have lost their jobs because they broke the restrictions previously. Has the Taoiseach asked the Tánaiste if he breached the restrictions in May and if so, what answer did he give?

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