The Garda investigation into the leaking of a confidential report by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to his friend Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail is set to continue into the summer.
Gardaí have conducted more interviews than initially expected.
The Irish Times report that the investigation will continue into the summer and possibly into the autumn due to the “volume of witnesses that detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) plan to interview”.
Mr Varadkar leaked a confidential copy of a proposed new GP contract to Dr Ó Tuathail in April 2019.
The contract contained details of a provisional agreement between the Government and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
Dr Ó Tuathail was president of the National Association of GPs (NAGP), a rival organisation which no longer exists.
While Mr Varadkar was interviewed last month under caution he was not arrested.
Government expected this interview signalled that the investigation was near completion, but this does not appear to be the case.
In reply to queries Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, told The Irish Times: “This matter remains under investigation. The investigation file is not yet completed. An Garda Síochána does not provide specific ongoing comment on ongoing investigations.”
Sources told The Irish Times the “widening the number of interviews arose as gardaí were determined to do a comprehensive inquiry. It did not mean any change in the core allegations or reflect any increased likelihood of charges”.
