Leo Varadkar: You can’t get internet on a cup.

Dáil parliamentary questions and their responses are usually very formal in their tone, but Transport Minister Leo Varadkar appeared less mindful of his "Ps and Qs" in one of his latest PQ responses to Sinn Féin’s Sandra McLellan.

The Cork East TD asked Mr Varadkar whether new legislation on drivers’ mobile phones would include penalties “for simply holding your phone in your hand while driving” and “the reason why this would be any different to holding a cup or anything else”.

In his written response, Mr Varadkar pointed out that a person observed driving dangerously “as a result of their cup-holding” could be liable for prosecution, as it is an offence under the Road Acts to drive without due care and attention.

“However, while individuals may engage in such activity, it is not a major issue for road safety requiring specific action,” he said.

“Mobile phone usage is. It is unlikely that a person is going to be holding a mobile phone if they do not intend to use it. Therefore, to ensure that there was a clearly understandable and easily enforceable provision in legislation to stop this form of distraction, this particular requirement was introduced.”

It was at this point Mr Varadkar’s famed straight-talking appeared in his response. “It is unlikely that someone would be making or receiving a call, texting, or browsing the internet through their cup,” he said.

“I do not intend to bring in a specific offence of cup-holding but, in the interests of safety, the deputy is advised not to hold a cup while driving.”

A spokesman for Mr Varadkar said the department would not comment on the contents of the PQ. Ms McLellan said the first half of the minister’s answer did address the issue she was raising. She said initially she thought the second part of the response was “a bit flippant” but she said she then saw the funny side of it.