Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has outlined the text message communication he had with both Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, and former minister Katherine Zappone, about the role of special envoy for freedom of opinion and expression.
He has included screenshots of the messages.
The Fine Gael leader "wasn't aware of the appointment" and contacted Mr Coveney about it for information as he knew he was likely to meet Ms Zappone later that week.
Earlier today, Minister Coveney confirmed that his Department had been in discussions with Ms Zappone on such role, and that a memo would be brought to Cabinet prior to any appointment being made.
Tanaiste @LeoVaradkar releases text messages of his communication with @k_zappone re Merrion Hotel event @rtenews 1/2 pic.twitter.com/4lkHwSUg7u
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) September 1, 2021
A statement this afternoon says that the Tánaiste made no further inquiries about the matter.
Both Ms Zappone and the Tánaiste discussed the role briefly on 21 July at the outdoor function in the Merrion Hotel, at which he expressed his support.
The full details of the appointment were not made available until the day of Cabinet the meeting on 27 July.
Tanaiste @LeoVaradkar releases text messages of his communication with Foreign Minister @simoncoveney re @k_zappone and special envoy job @rtenews 2/2 pic.twitter.com/BaEpqGeZq3
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) September 1, 2021
The statement adds that Tánaiste has accepted this should have been flagged by him to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Green Party leader Eamon Ryan in advance at the usual leaders meeting the day before the cabinet meeting. He added an apology has been made.
He said there should be no surprises in a coalition Government.
Earlier, Mr Coveney said the reason he deleted text messages with Mr Varadkar regarding a meeting with former minister Katherine Zappone was because his phone has been hacked in the past.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Mr Coveney said: "I change my phone every year. I've been hacked and I'm the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence - so I think it's prudent that I clear my phone fairly regularly."
Asked when he texted the Tánaiste and what the content was, Minister Coveney said it was "a number of days" before Mr Varadkar was due to meet Ms Zappone in Dublin, and he inquired if there was "anything you want to brief me on".
Mr Coveney texted back that he was working with Ms Zappone and his department about a "... potential role as a special envoy, but I will be bring the details to government in the coming weeks - and that was it".
He added: "The fact that he (Mr Varadkar) was asking about it (shows) he didn't know anything about it."
Minister Coveney referenced his appearance at an Oireachtas Joint Committee yesterday on the issue, saying: "You know, I took two hours of questioning about it yesterday and I answered them as honestly as I could."
He added: "We will release a substantial file on the whole appointment process of Katherine Zappone, which people will see was quite a robust process."
The Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says any communication related to the work of government is "normally retained." Asked by @BryanNewsatOne if he deletes texts himself, he replied that he didn't do the work of government by text. @rtenews
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) September 1, 2021
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that "any records in relation to official work or business is normally retained".
Asked on RTÉ's News at One if he deletes texts himself, Mr Martin said he does not do his work by text.
Mr Martin said: "As part of the three party Government, we've agreed that any additional appointments or any appointments to particular positions is shared amongst us.
"It didn't happen on this occasion, in advance of the Cabinet."
