Rabbitte refuses to apologise for Croke Park deal joke

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has refused to apologise for a joke seen as making light of the financial squeeze imposed on low-paid workers by the new Croke Park proposals.

At a book launch the night the pay deal extension was announced, he told the audience: “Another busy day diminishing the living standards of our people.”

The remark — reported in Saturday’s Irish Examiner — provoked anger among trade unionists, but Mr Rabbitte said he would not say sorry. “I am not going to comment about my joke- making, and I am not going to apologise for any jokes I make.” He also denied that “sweeteners” had been dangled to try and break union solidarity in the talks. “Is that the case of sweeteners for people who stay in? I don’t think that’s the case. Inevitably if you’re at negotiations you’re at negotiations to make gains for the people that you represent.