The Tánaiste has apologised for his ‘errors of judgment’ in leaking a confidential agreement made with one group of doctors with the head of another.

Leo Varadkar is currently answering questions in the Dáil on his decision to send a copy of a deal agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) to the then-president of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail.

He insisted that he had not handed the NAGP any unfair commercial advantage and said he was working to get as much support for the deal among doctors as possible.

He said there was “nothing inappropriate” about his informal contact with the NAGP but admitted it was an error of judgement to share the document without telling any of his Government colleagues.

“I do accept that the provision of the agreement by informal communicational channel to the president of the NAGP in the way that I did was not good practice,” he said.

“I regret that I did not ensure it was provided in a more appropriate, formal manner.

“It was an error and one I accept sole responsibility for. I know it has caused people to question my judgement but I hope, having heard my explanation, no fair-minded person will question my motivation or integrity.”

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