An official investigation into the infamous Champagne party at the Department of Foreign Affairs during the height of lockdown has been launched.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, has confirmed that a probe into the bash has been initiated by his officials.
A spokesman for the minister told the Irish Mirror: “On January 13th he (the minister) asked his current Secretary General (Joe Hackett) to report on the impromptu gathering in the department in June 2020 and has asked for that report by the end of the month.”
The Secretary General at the time, Niall Burgess, took a smiling selfie of himself and up to 20 senior Foreign Affairs staff breaking Covid rules when the rest of the country was in lockdown in June 2020.
Nobody in the picture was wearing masks or social distancing.
It has been stressed from sources in Government that the current Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs has “nothing to do” with the UN campaign or the gathering in DFA headquarters on that fateful night.
The Irish Mirror and Irish Star led the way in bringing the issue to light by being the two newspapers to publish the picture on the front page two weeks ago.
The selfie picture that sparked the controversy showed up to 20 senior department officials raising champagne flutes, unmasked and with no social distancing celebrating Ireland’s election to the UN Security Council in June 2020.
Meanwhile, Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar has expressed his dissatisfaction at the event.
He said: “You know, I think what happened in Iveagh House should not have happened at the time, social gatherings and more than six people indoors weren't allowed.
“So it's clear to me that what happened in iveagh House should not have happened on that night.
“And the Department of Foreign Affairs accepts that there has been an apology from those who are involved.
“And I understand they have issued new guidelines since then.
“This was almost two years ago.”
Mr Varadkar was asked what was the difference between the Iveagh House (Department of Foreign Affairs HQ) celebrations and Downing Street parties.
He replied: “To answer your question, what's the difference between this and events in Downing Street?
“Certainly Minister Coveney was not in any way involved in organising this. He didn't attend it.
“And it seems to have been an impromptu gathering rather than one that was organised.
“But that doesn't mean that it was okay.
“It still still shouldn't have occurred.
“But like I say, there has been an apology from those who are involved
“I think it is important to emphasise that you know, Mr. Coveney was not involved in organising this event and was not present at it.
“He returned later in the evenings to speak to staff and thank them.”
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