Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has confirmed his legal team has contacted gardai seeking an update on their investigation of his leaking of a confidential GP report.
Mr Varadkar said the approach to the Garda was “normal” and “entirely provided for”.
Ministers have faced questioning by the media on whether Mr Varadkar should become Taoiseach in December if he is still under Garda investigation.
When asked yesterday if it was appropriate for his legal representatives to put pressure on gardai about the probe, the Fine Gael leader said it was “no question of pressure”.
He told reporters: “It’s seeking a progress report or update, and that’s entirely normal.”
Mr Varadkar has said repeatedly that his legal advice is that he committed no offence but has apologised for his “errors of judgment”.
Last year, gardai confirmed an investigation was under way into the circumstances surrounding the passing of a proposed new GP contract to a friend of the Tanaiste two years ago.
Fine Gael sources have said Mr Varadkar is “eager” to put the matter behind him. They added: “It’s dragging out a bit and we all thought it would be over by now.”
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