'We've lost good ministers': Tánaiste criticised for not publicly commenting on Golfgate ruling

Senator Paddy Burke and TD Paul Kehoe slammed Leo Varadkar for not publicly commenting in the aftermath of the court decision to dismiss the charges linked to the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden in August 2020. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Some Fine Gael representatives have called on their party leader to comment on the fallout from Golfgate.

Senator Paddy Burke and TD Paul Kehoe slammed Leo Varadkar, who was not present, during a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday for not publicly commenting in the aftermath of the court decision to dismiss the charges linked to the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden in August 2020.

Fine Gael senators Jerry Buttimer, Paddy Burke and John Cummins had the whip removed after the gathering was first revealed in the Irish Examiner.

It is understood that many in the party expected Leo Varadkar to mention the court fallout during last week's meeting and were "disappointed that he didn't and want him to now comment publicly," one representative present said.

It is understood Paddy Burke has requested the minutes of a parliamentary party meeting from a year and half ago, where he alleged the Fine Gael leader said that those who had attended had broken the law.

"He wants those minutes and the record changed," a source said.

They didn't break the law and said at no point were given any opportunity for a fair hearing, they lost whip and couldn't make any argument or case and want Leo to comment on it.

"Paul Kehoe was very cross and said good people were kicked out and suffered since and had suffered abuse up to now, and in the eyes of the court they had done nothing wrong."

It's understood Seán Kyne spoke up and alluded that he could have defended those involved more at the time.

"Next week will be interesting," the representative added.

Sources say Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, who chaired the meeting, said it would be up to Leo Varadkar to respond but he understood the points made and noted he supported Mr Varadkar's decision at the time.

A source added that the men want a review to "make sure it doesn't happen ever again, people being kicked out without giving their say.

"No opportunity for the facts to come out basically, and they said we've lost good ministers on the back of not waiting for facts to come out," with both Alan Shatter and Frances Fitzgerald mentioned as well as the three Fine Gael senators present at Golfgate.

Jerry Buttimer, who was present at the golf event and also lost the whip was present at the parliamentary party meeting but did not comment.

33 Irish citizens have left Ukraine as focus remains on deterring invasion

Simon Coveney said the focus on diplomacy and deterring an invasion of Ukraine would continue and he did not expect the story to abate. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Two Irish diplomats based in Ukraine will be staying in the country to assist Irish nationals as long as it is safe, according to Simon Coveney.

The Foreign Affairs Minister his told Fine Gael colleagues at Wednesday's parliamentary party meeting that there are 98 Irish citizens registered in our embassy in Ukraine and 33 have departed.

Ahead of a UN security council meeting on Thursday, Mr Coveney said the focus on diplomacy and deterring an invasion of Ukraine would continue and he did not expect the story to abate.

Mr Coveney added there were significant consular challenges being worked on including surrogacy cases.

The Fine Gael deputy leader said the Report from the Commission on the Defence Forces provided a template for Government to respond to and his department would come up with an ambitious approach before the summer recess and bring recommendations to Government.

He said the priorities which Fine Gael attaches to people who serve their country in uniform would be reflected in the recommendations.

Meanwhile, a motion from Deputy David Stanton before the parliamentary party was passed unanimously.

It read: 'That the Fine Gael Party recognises the central role that primary and second level schools have in the communities in which they are located and that Fine Gael will work to strongly encourage and support the use of school buildings outside of school hours by community and youth clubs and organisations.'

The motion is based on a policy from 2015 which would allow schools to use their facilities for after-hours care and extracurricular activities for the community.