The former Secretary General who took the infamous champagne party picture at the Department of Foreign Affairs has been asked to donate €2,000 to a charity providing assistance to people affected by Covid, a report has said.
The report found that the event in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2020 has found a breach of Covid-19 rules and will recommend a sanction.
But it states that no event had been planned in advance to celebrate the success of Ireland’s election to the United Nations Security Council.
The investigation carried out by now Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Joe Hackett states: “I have asked the former Secretary General to make a donation to a charity providing assistance to people affected by Covid in the amount of €2,000 and the three other senior officials to make a similar donation in the amount of €1,000.
“Each of the officials concerned has agreed to do so.
“I do not intend to take any further action.”
The photo which showed a group gathered together without social distancing and drinking champagne was posted on Twitter by former Secretary General Niall Burgess.
Mr Hackett said a breach of social distance guidance occurred when staff came together physically to celebrate Ireland’s successful election to the UN Security Council.
He added: “This breach was captured in a photograph taken by the then Secretary General. Staff were not observing social distancing requirements at the time of the photo.
“Many had glasses of alcohol in their hands to toast the outcome.
“While staff in the photo did not wear facemasks, there was no public health requirement to wear masks in such a setting at that time.
“The then Secretary General posted the photograph on his twitter account and subsequently removed it acknowledging at the time that it should not have happened.
“The breach of social distancing guidance lasted approximately a minute.
“Most staff at that point either returned to their desks, stood discussing the outcome or prepared to depart the building.”
The report stated that The Review Team is satisfied that no social event in breach of guidance took place during Minister Simon Coveney’s presence when he thanked staff later in the evening.
The report also stated that the review found “no evidence that statutory rules were breached, the public health guidance that then applied was not followed.
“This may have been a brief lapse, but has understandably raised public concern.
“It has also damaged the reputation of the Department.”
Mr Hackett said by providing alcohol and organising a group photograph, the then Secretary General was largely responsible for facilitating the breach of social distance guidance that occurred.
Mr Hackett said: “He also placed colleagues, particularly more junior ones, in a difficult position.
“His actions were uncharacteristic errors of judgement.
“He sincerely regrets this.
“Three other officers at Management Board level were present in the photograph- all three had played key roles in our UN Security Council campaign and were working intensely throughout that day and evening. During their careers, they have given outstanding service to the country.
“They did not actively facilitate the breach of public health measures.
“However, they accept that, as senior officials, they could have done more to try to prevent this breach.”
More to follow….
