Minister for Climate and Environment Eamon Ryan has tested positive for Covid and will not attend the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow.
Mr Ryan received the positive result on Saturday after taking a precautionary PCR test on Friday in line with the recommendations of the Cop26 organisers.
A Government spokesperson has said two senior members of the Government have taken tests “out of an abundance of caution”, including the Taoiseach, who has tested negative.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, who were beside Minister Ryan at a cabinet meeting and press conference on Thursday, were not deemed close contacts by the HSE.
Mr Ryan’s department said last night that the National Climate Delegation will continue its efforts to secure meaningful progress at COP26.
It is hoped this will be done through membership of the EU and as a new signatory to the High Ambition Coalition, which works to ensure the delivery of ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Mr Ryan said he has advised the HSE of his close contacts, including those encountered in the 24 hours before the test.
