{"id":23096,"date":"2021-09-17T13:28:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T17:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23096"},"modified":"2021-09-18T10:31:31","modified_gmt":"2021-09-18T14:31:31","slug":"taoiseach-rules-out-investigation-into-cabinets-zappone-leak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23096","title":{"rendered":"Taoiseach Rules Out Investigation Into Cabinet’s Zappone Leak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin at the recent Fianna F\u00e1il Think-In (PA Media)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Taoiseach has ruled out an investigation into who leaked the appointment of Katherine Zappone from Cabinet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miche\u00e1l Martin said that Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Matt Carthy had \u201cno evidence whatsoever\u201d when he accused Simon Harris of leaking the information about the proposed appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Carthy used D\u00e1il privilege when he named the Higher Education Minister on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked if he wanted an investigation into who was behind the leak, Mr Martin said: \u201cNo, let\u2019s get real here, Matt Carthy had no evidence whatsoever. He admits he had no evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe threw it out there. Sinn F\u00e9in are into that politics, they have a track record in terms of failure to respect the House and the convention of the House and the privilege, and they have abused privilege in the past in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Government is focused on the substantial issues that are before us. Yesterday we had a long meeting on the National Development Plan and on the economy and the lead up to the Budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Budget is only a short few weeks away and that will be important, as is the publication of the National Development Plan, which will outline a multi-billion investment in this country, right across the board, in order to underpin our development as a modern economy and society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Martin said there has been leaks and briefings to the media in recent years, saying that was \u201cpart and parcel\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn terms of Cabinet confidentiality, it is important that what is said at the Cabinet table is kept within the Cabinet table, of course,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I will concentrate all of my energies and our energies as a Government on dealing with the bread-and-butter issues that face the people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Harris has denied leaking the information from Cabinet and said he is \u201cvery seriously\u201d considering making a complaint against Mr Carthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appointment of the former children\u2019s minister to the UN role triggered a major political controversy and led to a vote of confidence in Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney for his handling of the affair.<\/p>\n

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