Denis Naughten resignation follows revelation of private dinners with bidder

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar forced Denis Naughten to resign after learning at the 11th hour that he had held four more secret meetings with billionaire businessman, David McCourt.

Mr Varadkar revealed Mr Naughten’s admission in a hastily arranged Dáil statement in light of the Independent TD’s resignation as communications minister, which also saw the Taoiseach appoint Education Minister Richard Bruton to the role “on a temporary basis”.