She’s under huge pressure…
The Department of Justice has published documents concerning whether or not Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald knew about the legal strategy of the Garda Commissioner against Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.
When speaking in the Dáil last week, the Tánaiste said that she’d been informed by the Department of Justice that an email sent to her regarding a dispute between the legal teams of then-Garda Commissioner Nórirín O’Sullivan and lawyers for Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe during the O’Higgins Commission had been located.
She said that she did not remember the email when it was brought up last week.
However, in the documents released today, an email from Fitzgerald’s private secretary stated that the Minister had “noted” the email.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reportedly also knew about the existence of the emails over the weekend but has remained strong in his support for the Tánaiste throughout the weekend and earlier on Monday.
Fitzgerald took to Twitter on Monday evening to make a statement which appears to show that she has no plans to step down from her position in light of the controversy.
Although, she at no point in the tweets does she say that she will not be resigning, it certainly appears that she will not step down.
1/2 As Justice Minister I could not interfere with the O'Higgjns Commission. This is confirmed twice in today's docs & has been confirmed by the AG.
— Frances Fitzgerald MEP (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 27, 2017
2/2 The Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January.
— Frances Fitzgerald MEP (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 27, 2017
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