Harris confirms call, denies resignation ask
Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed outside Government Buildings on Wednesday morning before Cabinet that he had called Minister Patrick O’Donovan shortly before the minister took ill at an EU presidency event in Limerick earlier this month.
Mr Harris refused to divulge the nature of the conversation but insisted it was routine. “Conversations that I have with my ministers are private,” he said. “The way I've seen them characterised is inaccurate.”
When asked if he had asked Mr O’Donovan to consider his position, the Tánaiste described the question as “bizarre” and “so far from reality”.
Mr Harris also denied briefing a newspaper about the minister’s health. “Clearly, it wasn't me, I'm the leader of Fine Gael , and I don't need to brief journalists to make things happen in my party,” the Tánaiste said.
Irish Examiner
- Tánaiste denies asking Patrick O’Donovan to resign after phone call before minister fell ill
Speaking outside Government Buildings on Wednesday morning before Cabinet, Mr Harris confirmed that he had called Mr O’Donovan shortly before he took ill.
What happened in Limerick
An informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for telecommunications took place on 12 and 13 October in Limerick. The informal meeting was chaired by Ireland’s Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, TD.