Denis Naughten paid for Leinster House lunch for broadband plan bidder

Mr Naughten also admitted that despite having responsibility for climate change he did not ask for a high-profile carbon tax rise in Tuesday's budget.

Communications Minister Denis Naughten has refused to consider resigning from cabinet despite admitting he paid for a previously unknown Leinster House lunch for the only bidder still left in the national broadband tender process.

Independent TD Mr Naughten admitted the deeply controversial April 18 meeting in the wake of revelations he held a separate informal meeting with the same bidder in New York in July.