Burton had exchange with O’Brien in New York

Joan Burton had an exchange with tycoon Denis O’Brien on the day he was controversially pictured with the Taoiseach at the New York stock exchange, the Irish Examiner has learned.

The Social Protection Minister refused to comment on whether this contradicted her outspoken views on Government members being seen with the media mogul, who was the subject of a negative finding by the Moriarty Tribunal.

Enda Kenny came under severe fire for posing for a photograph with Mr O’Brien during his St Patrick’s Day tour of the US.