Leo Varadkar has attacked the “political paranoia” around the failed Strategic Communications Unit as he confirmed the soon-to-be-defunct division will still spend €2.2m this year.

Leo Varadkar has accused the opposition of spinning “fake news” over the strategic communications unit (SCU), as the Dáil attacked the PR section and its “misuse” of public money.

The Department of the Taoiseach says a private briefing on the Strategic Communications Unit afforded to Paddy Cosgrave was granted at the request of the Web Summit founder.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has all but confirmed the demise of his much-feted Strategic Communications Unit (SCU), saying it is “distracting” from the work of Government.