The investigation of the leaking of a confidential Government document by then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been turned into a criminal probe.
There was uproar in the Dail when it emerged last year that the Tanaiste had leaked the Government's proposed contract with GPs in the IMO to head of the NAGP Maitiu O Tuathail in April 2019.
Mr Varadkar apologised and has continuously said since the leak was revealed that he had "committed no offence" according to legal advice.
But now the garda investigation, which was exclusively revealed by the Irish Mirror, has been upgraded to a criminal probe while the Standards in Public Office Commission is suspending its look into the matter, the Sunday Independent reports.
Gardai have yet to speak to the Tanaiste or Dr O Tuathail as part of the investigation. Both have said they will fully comply with the investigation.
Minister Simon Harris has provided a written statement to gardai, while the leak is being investigated to see if it breaches the Official Secrets Act.
