Midlands TD Calls For Tánaiste's Resignation Over MerrionGate

He thinks Leo Varadkar should follow the example he set when he called on Phil Hogan and Dara Calleary to step down last year.

A midlands TD is calling on the Tánaiste to resign. 

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says Leo Varadkar urged Phil Hogan and Dara Calleary to step down in the wake of Golfgate and now he should do the same after breaching similar guidance, after attending a party organised by former minister Katherine Zappone at the Merion Hotel in Dublin.

The Meath-West deputy believes everyone should play by the same rules:

A government junior minister is questioning the decision to create the role of Special Envoy to the UN on freedom of expression.

It follows Ms. Zappone's decision not to take the job due to criticism over the way she was appointed.

Her hosting of that event for 50 people at the Merrion Hotel also added to the controversy.

The government says the event was allowed under current covid rules.

It's also emerged that Transport Minister Eamon Ryan attended a large gathering last month following the Dublin Bay South by-election.

Junior Minister Niall Collins says there are questions now about the UN role and why it was created:

Meanwhile,

Fáilte Ireland's guidelines for the hospitality sector are to be updated, in relation to outdoor events. 

The tourism group is meeting government officials today to begin the process, after the attorney-general said outdoor parties of 200 people are allowed. 

It comes following the fallout of a event organised by Ms. Zappone.

The Irish Hotels' Federation says the clarification from the Attorney General yesterday was welcome.

And Adrian Cummins, from the Restaurants Association of Ireland, says it's a big boost for the hospitality sector. 

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