Tánaiste Simon Coveney was contacted directly by Keelings before the company flew 189 seasonal workers in from Bulgaria during the Covid-19 lockdown, Independent.ie has confirmed. The revelation of Mr Coveney's personal involvement in the saga comes as the Dáil heard demands for the company's site to be inspected. Mr Varadkar launched a review of the rules around foreign workers following the outcry over the fruit producer's flight during the lockdown. In a u-turn, Mr Varadkar subsequently said he "shares the discomfort expressed" by Dr Holohan. Keelings confirmed that the seasonal workers flew on a charter flight from Sofia to Dublin on Monday, April 13.

Source: Irish Independent April 30, 2020 18:20 UTC