Criticism directed at Government over handling of pandemic unemployment payments 'farcical'

Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheal Marti,n at the launch of the Fianna Fáil Local Election Manifesto in the Iveagh Garden Hotel, Harcourt Street, Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

The criticism directed at the Government over its handling of pandemic unemployment payments has been "farcical", the Taoiseach has claimed.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Micheál Martin said last week's criticism of the welfare checks at airports, which resulted in nearly 2,000 people being removed from the payment, had been "hyped up beyond the reality".