Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
331. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45037/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department makes available to the public a wide variety of records and information as part of our FOI Publication scheme. Most recently we oversaw the largest ever release of records in the history of the Department under the scheme, which included a significant volume of email correspondence and text messages, including messages from my phone.
In respect of emails related to Government business, these are retained in accordance with Departmental guidelines.
In my appearance before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 7 September, 2021, I clarified my practice in relation to the retention of text messages in the context of security considerations. I also note the Taoiseach's clear instruction that any text messages in relation to Government business should not be deleted.
