Simon Harris says allegation he leaked Katherine Zappone appointment 'totally untrue'

Sinn Féin's Eoin O Broin had earlier said the issue of the leak matters because it is "a criminal offence"

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said an allegation made against him in the Dáil that he leaked the Katherine Zappone appointment is "untrue". File photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

Simon Harris has told said that allegations he leaked the appointment of Katherine Zappone from Cabinet are “totally untrue”.

Responding to claims made by Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy on Wednesday night, Mr Harris said what happened yesterday was an extraordinary misuse of Dáil privilege which insulates a speaker from prosecution.