Kenny: Perceptions of Ireland’s drink culture are wrong
Mr Kenny dismissed controversial remarks by Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, whose speech about the national day and drinking has drawn huge criticism. Mr Abbott sparked controversy after suggesting in a video clip that St Patrick’s Day was about drinking pints of Guinness and partying for emigrants.
In what was viewed as a somewhat patronising speech, Mr Abbott said: “The English made the laws, the Scots made the money, and the Irish made the songs.
“I’m sorry I can’t be there to share a Guinness or two, or maybe even three, but like you, I do rejoice in St Patrick’s Day,” he said. The prime minister wore a green tie for the clip, put on a Youtube channel.
He added: “It’s a great day for the Irish, and for the English, the Vietnamese, the Cambodians, and everyone else who cares to come to the party.”
Responding to the clip, Mr Kenny said: “I’ve heard the prime minister’s comments. He made them. I don’t agree with that. I think it is perfectly in order for so many Irish people in Australia to have an enjoyable celebration of St Patrick’s Day and St Patrick’s week, and to do so in a thoroughly responsible fashion.”
Mr Kenny reiterated the Coalition’s plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol. He also rejected a perception of Ireland as a drinking nation, raised during his visit to Austin, Texas, during the week.
“There has been a long-term view of a stage Irish perception. I reject that,” he said.
Ahead of the traditional St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House today, he said he would discuss the issue of regularising Irish emigrants in the US with Mr Obama. He rejected calls by advocates for emigration reform that pressure must be applied on the US administration, particularly for the 50,000 undocumented Irish,
“I don’t agree that having a more aggressive stance would bring results any faster,” he said. “We’re not in a position to dictate to the American administration what to do here.
“It is a matter for the American administration to decide what it wants to do.”
Mr Kenny visited the US chamber of commerce yesterday and the Kennedy Arts Centre and also attended the American Ireland Fund dinner last night.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has accused the US government of “bizarre behaviour” after his meeting with a Washington official in the capital today was cancelled.
“It’s no skin off my nose not to meet the State Department,” said Mr Adams.
The North’s leaders cancelled trips to Washington separately this week to find agreement on welfare reforms that have divided Sinn Féin and the DUP.
Resignation
A second board member has resigned from the controversial Diageo-funded Stop Out-of-Control Drinking campaign.
Krystian Fikert, founder of MyMind, cited “resource restraints” within his mental healthcare organisation.
He follows in the footsteps of Ciara Kelly, a GP and commentator, who stepped down three weeks after the campaign was unveiled, “due to time constraints”.
The campaign has been heavily criticised in many quarters for the “inherent conflict” between the commercial interests of the alcohol industry, and its involvement in initiatives to tackle over-consumption.
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