Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Taoiseach whether his strategic goals include allowing Ministers to mislead the Dáil. In February 2022, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, appeared before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in regard to an event that had taken place at Iveagh House. He was asked three times by myself and Deputy John Brady whether he had deleted any texts relating to that event. His replied, "I have not deleted any texts" and "All I can say is that I have not deleted any texts". In response to a question as to whether he had deleted any texts, he simply said "No". However, two months ago, the Office of the Information Commissioner issued a decision in regard to a freedom of information appeal relating to these matters. It indicated that the Minister's special adviser had said that the Minister had deleted a text message from this device and claimed that the sender was "trolling the Minister". The so-called troll was actually the journalist who exposed the breach of public health guidelines at Iveagh House in the first place and was of sufficient standing for the Department of Foreign Affairs to engage with comprehensively. Does the Taoiseach agree that the Minister, Deputy Coveney, should correct the record of the house?

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