Leo Varadkar story in The Village??? - Mod Notes and banned Users in OP updated 16/05

I think it has always been about corruption. Because some people here may have quoted the secrets act would not make a jut of difference to the investigation.

However, Leo's calims that it was or wasn't a contract, his rejection of the claim that he leaked documents, quickly followed by an apology for giving confidential documents to his friend - and the actual fact that he DID do all of the above, most likely would have an effect.

I think he's hoping that if he changes his story often enough it may somehow help his case.

I am prepared to discuss and debate the merits of whether there is a potential offence under the Corruption Act if the discredited arguments are dropped. However, it seems that some posters are determined to maintain those falsehoods. As long as people keep maintaining that he apologised for leaking, that he broke the OSA, and that the document was a confidential government document, then there is no point addressing the other issues until those falsehoods are dropped.

I know all about it, check back earlier in the thread, where I discussed it at length. That wasn’t a new revelation.

By definition, once the IMO had a copy, it was not a confidential government document, and therefore not covered by either the Cabinet Handbook or the OSA, and had no particular legal standing as confidential.

That is nonsense.

It was a draft agreement. Of course the IMO had a copy of it. How else would they decide whether or not things were going the right way for them?

It was a confidential document between them.

I could honestly not care less if you think I saw a post or not (or if I was quoted) - incidentally new boards layout makes it near impossible to follow anything, always at 99.

No game is up. The very funny thing I find, is the 'Pro Leo' gang are so unoriginal, that you would even stoop to accuse others of what had to be pointed out numerous times to make you stop.

I rarely repeat, but if I do, it is at least, relevant. Not some stupid nonsense.

I can repeat it again..

Leo said 'It is not a contract, it is a contract, it is not a contract, you and I know what a contract it, it is not a contract, it is a contract.' 🤡

Or something to that effect. He may also have finished up with his trademark derp.

And what is the legal status of that document under the OSA? Nothing.

And what is its administrative status under the Cabinet handbook? Nothing.

I am declaring this post confidential giving it equal status to that IMO document.

Explain to me again the legal basis for your opinion that those documents are confidential and then for full marks, explain how that applies to the IMO document.

FG was trying to get ahead of the story in PR terms by presenting Varadkar's solicitors as being in contact with the Gardai to see what was happening with the investigation. If, as media reports suggest, the corruption legislation is driving some of this investigation then Varadkar may be in serious trouble much more so than he would have been with the OSA. FG supporters had been trying to downplay the leak since it was first covered in Village Magazine. In that time, support for SF has moved well ahead of both FF and FG. It is also the largest party in the Dail in terms of seats. As Mythbusters proved, turds can be polished so things might not be so clear on Varadkar becoming taoiseach after Martin.

Regards...jmcc

Ok, how many times do we have to go over this. A confidential government document is a document which is confidential to the government and not in the possession of anyone else.

The agreement with the IMO does not meet that test. What may be confusing you is that the Memorandum for Government which would have accompanied the agreement IS confidential to the government. That Memorandum would have set out the reasons why the Minister is seeking approval of the agreement, details of the government view of the negotiations, the risks involved, the likely cost to the State etc. That document is a confidential government document but the agreement itself never was.

Confidential means it was restricted and private to certain people. How on earth could such an agreement be made without consulting the IMO about what they wanted? They had to come to the agreement between them. The NAGP were not privy to those talks as they could have scuppered them or used them to gain advantage, so the information in them was confidential between the government and the IMO.

Leo was not party to the talks, and IIRC it is still unclear how he obtained the information to leak it.

Nevertheless, the cabinet handbook clearly states: