Govt probes leak of sensitive document

The Department of Foreign Affairs has begun an investigation into how journalists got possession of a sensitive document relating to the Irish peace process.

The top-secret document was found by journalists at Farmleigh House yesterday following a meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and Northern Secretary Paul Murphy.

It outlined the Irish Government's concerns about the Ulster Unionist Party and described the party as "dysfunctional".

These leaked details are likely to create further tension between the Irish Government and unionists who are already suspicious about recent Irish moves to keep the cross-border bodies functioning while the Assembly and Executive are suspended.