Online ad lobbying accusation ‘made up’

Claims that the Taoiseach lobbied Google and Facebook to ban some advertisements ahead of the Eighth Amendment referendum have been dismissed as “totally made up”.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath made the allegation yesterday and said he would be questioning Leo Varadkar on the matter in the Dáil.

The Tipperary TD, who is campaigning for a no vote, said he had no specific information on whether the internet companies had been lobbied before they made the decision to ban advertising ahead of the referendum, which will be held on May 25.