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Tánaiste Leo Varadkar should not resign over the leak of a confidential document from the GP, as he deserves due process like any other citizen, Minister Simon Harris said.
This comes as Garda Headquarters recently updated its investigations into the leaking of the document in a criminal investigation.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called for Tánaiste’s resignation and said she had told a “rooster and bull” story over the leaking document.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said the opposition “has a job to do” but does not believe that Mr. Varadkar should resign as he deserves due process and the Government has a job to do “in the leadership of the country “.
Appearing on Virgin Media’s Tonight’s showHarris said: “I think it would not be helpful for anyone, particularly those of us in public office, to post an ongoing comment on an ongoing garda investigation.
“The Gardaí have a job to do, they have received a complaint. They need to be allowed to carry out that investigation without any interference or comment from politicians like me.
“We also have to recognize the importance of due process, there are many people who are rushing to pass judgment and the right place to examine these issues is through the garda investigation, and let’s see the outcome of that.”
When asked if he thinks the Tánaiste should step aside for the time being, the Higher Education minister said he believes this would be the opposite of the meaning of due process.
“I think that would not be due process. I don’t think (should step aside).
“The government has a huge body of work to do and we have to overcome the Covid pandemic, reopen the country and the Tánaiste is very involved in all those problems and led our country through the first phase of the pandemic and now plays a leadership role in government again.
“Everyone has the right to due process, they do not waive that right to due process when running for elected office.”
Harris said he doesn’t think the controversy is distracting from the government’s work.
“The Opposition has a job to do and I’m sure people expect me to come here and score political points and I’m not interested in doing that,” he added.
“The opposition has a job to do and they do their thing. We have a job to do in the management of the country and we are focused on that. “
Gardaí is investigating the complaint that focuses on Varadkar’s leak of a copy of the government’s proposed new GP contract with the Irish Medical Organization to Dr. Maitiú Ó Tuathail, who was then the head of the National Association of Physicians. Rival generals, in April 2019.
Mr. Varadkar has apologized for the matter and said that his legal advice is that he “did not commit any crime” and has offered to meet with Gardaí to provide a full statement.
Online editors
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