O’Dea rejects charge of rebuking McAleese

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea last night insisted he had not rebuked President McAleese over remarks regarding the possibility of sending Irish peacekeeping troops to Lebanon.

Mr O’Dea hit out at claims by Labour that he had dragged the President into a political spat.

Mr O’Dea insisted he had simply pointed out the President’s function in the decision-making process and had not “directly, indirectly or by implication” rebuked her.

A spokesperson for the minister said he was responding to a question on the process of deployment of Irish troops overseas.

Labour branded Mr O’Dea’s remarks as a put-down, after Ms McAleese said the Government would give “profound consideration” to any UN request for peacekeepers in Lebanon.

“The whole question of sending troops to the Lebanon is not a function of the President,” Mr O’Dea had said in response. “It is a decision made by the Government advised by the Minister of Defence.”

A spokesperson for the President declined to comment on the matter.