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Breaking stories
‘Flowerpot Fracas’ poses some serious questions
By Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent
It should have been just another storm in the Leinster House goldfish bowl that the press and politicians swim around in — but the sinister nature of Government over-reaction threatens to turn it into a watershed moment in Taoiseach-media relations.
A harsh light has been shone on how Enda Kenny’s cabal of advisers operate, as the repercussions generated by what has become known as the Flowerpot Fracas continues to fan out across the political landscape, with the matter to be raised in the Dáil today.The flashpoint was a “doorstep” Q&A session outside the National Library last Wednesday, where Mr Kenny was so keen to avoid giving an opinion on gay marriage he appeared to stumble backwards over a tripod near a large flowerpot.
So far, so mundane —but then Mr Kenny’s press flunkies decided to escalate the incident out of all proportion by complaining to TV3 chiefs regarding political editor Ursula Halligan, using phrases like “tantamount to assault”.
As a witness, the Irish Examiner can confirm the only thing Ms Halligan was guilty of was doing her job in the highly professional manner which has earned her a reputation as one of Leinster House’s most respected journalists.
The decision to go directly to Ms Halligan’s bosses with such a serious — and ludicrous — accusation has caused much concern among the media and TDs from both the Government and opposition, with FF leader Micheál Martin to raise the matter in the Oireachtas.
Last night TV3 and the Government agreed a face-saving form of words to try and defuse the controversy with a statement declaring “what was understood to have been an allegation of assault was not intended as such”, but the bitter taste of the episode remains potent.
The incident has been branded “sinister” in nature for its singling out of one prominent journalist for particular attack, while a formal letter of complaint to the Press Gallery regarding the “collectively disgraceful” behaviour of journalists at the event has also been sent by press secretary Feargal Purcell.
The affair has highlighted the very tight control with which handlers like to protect Mr Kenny — he has given hardly any set-piece newspaper interviews since becoming Taoiseach 15 months ago and avoids rigorous broadcast probing.
The incident has raised serious questions about the Coalition’s often slap-dash media strategy, which regularly veers between being unable to convey a clear message to not having any message to convey at all.
The latest breakdown in communications has caused concern among some ministers who believe the Government has had a rough ride, and fear the situation will deteriorate as the Coalition hits another grim budget and mid-term blues. As one Fine Gael TD said: “How many more enemies do we really need?”
Relations between the powers that be and the press have always been rocky. Purcell’s predecessor, fellow ex-army man Eoghan Ó Neachtain — the government press secretary who helped Brian Cowen achieve the reputation he now enjoys — was involved in a very public row with a senior political correspondent last year.
After being confronted by the award-winning radio journalist about why Ó Neachtain failed to inform him of the Taoiseach’s visit to Downing St the next day — despite other reporters being told — a heated debate ensued in which the spin doctor, nicknamed “Gonzo”, was heard to say: “It was totally inappropriate for you to get in my face like that. The last time someone got that close he was met with a headbutt.”
Ó Neachtain said the “headbutt” comment had been meant in “a rugby context”.
But key aspects of the latest fallout remain unclear: Namely, did Mr Kenny authorise the attack on Ms Halligan?
The Taoiseach insisted on election night that he would be transparent, stating: “Paddy likes to know what the story is”. But, it seems, “Paddy” should just not dare ask questions unless he wants to feel the wrath of the machine.
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