Come clean, Minister

JUNIOR Industry Minster Pat Breen says he is guilty of nothing more than setting up a dinner meeting between former communications minister Denis Naughten, and David McCourt, the sole bidder for the National Broadband Plan. ‘The question of resigning,’ he claims, ‘was never on my mind.’ Likewise, Leo Varadkar does not consider it a ‘resigning matter’.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin thinks ‘it’s a lot more serious than that – and it should be taken more seriously than that’. It is hard to disagree with Mr Martin. Since June 2016, Mr Breen has had consistent dealings with Mr McCourt, or companies owned by the Irish-American investor. Mr Breen admits he has a ‘business relationship’ with Mr McCourt, and he is an ‘acquaintance’. It stretches credibility that their dealings focused exclusively on ‘investments in Co. Clare’.

This affair cannot simply be brushed aside with the resignation of Mr Naughten. There are still serious questions demanding forthright answers. That is why Pat Breen must stop making a virtue of denial and start treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves.