Coughlan upset by Varadkar remarks

By Mary Regan Political Reporter

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

ENTERPRISE Minister, Mary Coughlan hit back at what she said were "nasty" remarks about her by Fine Gael’s Leo Varadkar who claimed she was an embarrassment to the country.

The Tánaiste said she represents Ireland at trade missions abroad with "pride and privilege" and said she would respect any decision made by the Taoiseach on whether or not to demote her in a looming cabinet reshuffle.

She was responding after Mr Varadkar asked her about comments made on RTÉ’s Frontline where someone said there was "a cringe factor" to her representation abroad.

"Another article in a paper suggests the IDA are embarrassed by you when you go overseas with them. Others said you are unable to talk to business people and when you do the language you use is often inappropriate and vulgar," said Mr Varadkar.

"What do you say to those who level the charge at you that you are not suitable to represent the Ireland overseas?" he asked.

A visibly upset Ms Coughlan said Mr Varadkar had made "many nasty comments" which she said were "politically motivated" and showed "the ineptitude of some of the opposition".

She said: "My personality is a matter for others to decide. My job is to represent this country abroad when I do so and I do so with pride and the privilege that has been bestowed on me by the Taoiseach."

Mr Varadkar also claimed the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is likely to be restructured not for policy reasons but to give the impression that Ms Coughlan is not being sacked.

"There are proposals to break up the department and maybe there is a case to be made for it.

But it seems to me the real reason why the Government is considering a reform of your department is because the Taoiseach doesn’t want to dismiss you, his personal loyalty to you means that he is actually considering abolishing the department from underneath you," he said.

Ms Coughlan responded she has had "numerous discussions with the Taoiseach on many issues which are the privilege of myself and the Taoiseach".

She said: "Unlike others, I do not discuss them in the public domain nor would I add to any rumours in the context of the final decision of the Taoiseach. I respect that and it is a matter for the Taoiseach."

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, March 10, 2010