O’Dea apologises for Dáil remarks

MINISTER Willie O’Dea yesterday apologised for remarks he made about TV3 crime correspondent Maura Derrane, the fiancée of Fine Gael justice spokesman John Deasy.

The junior justice minister appeared to suggest the day before that Ms Derrane favoured Mr Deasy in reports on TV3 news.

Referring to reports in yesterday morning’s newspapers, the minister of state made an apology to both Ms Derrane and the independent station.

“No slur was intended on the professional or personal integrity of Maura Derrane, journalist, or on the professionalism of TV3,” he said.

Having mistakenly described TV3 as RTÉ3, he apologised to the RTÉ. “I also apologise to RTÉ for implying, by way of a slip of the tongue, that it has the resources to support a third channel.”

However, Fine Gael complained the minister did not go far enough. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he was grateful the minister clarified the position.

“I did not hear him apologise to Deputy Deasy for remarks,” he said.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said Mr O’Dea never apologised to him for offensive comments.