Naughten won’t be forced out over INM call

Communications Minister Denis Naughten will not be forced from office by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar or Fianna Fáil, despite facing accusations of giving out “inside information” over a media deal.

“There was nothing wrong or inappropriate” a defiant Mr Naughten told the Dáil in a special hearing on the controversy about a phone call he had with lobbyist Eoghan Ó Neachtain in November 2016.

Mr Naughten said he told Mr Ó Neachtain — a PR lobbyist for Independent News and Media (INM) — that its proposed takeover of Celtic Media would “likely” be referred for approval. This was two months before that was announced publicly.