Coughlan upset by Varadkar remarks

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.