McEntee's performance labelled as 'disaster' at Fianna Fáil meeting

It is understood that Cork East TD James O'Connor said that there is an 'urgent need to have a conversation within senior levels in Government about the public's concerns'

Justice Minister Helen McEntee came under fire for her performance in the role at Fianna Fáil's parliamentary party meeting. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/ RollingNews.ie

The performance of Justice Minister Helen McEntee was labelled a "disaster" at a meeting of Fianna Fáil TDs, senators, and MEPs on Wednesday evening.

Cork East TD James O’Connor said that a "serious conversation" is required by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party about what he sees as the poor performances of both Ms McEntee and Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman, with calls for the pair to come before the Fianna Fáil party.

One party source said that Mr O'Connor's views "echo 90% of the parliamentary party" and said that there was "no venom" in what Mr O'Connor said, adding that it was "all very much about their job performances".

It is understood that Mr O’Connor said that, while Fianna Fáil has no control of the two departments, there is "an urgent need to have a conversation within senior levels in Government about the public’s concerns with both ministers and their departments".

Meanwhile, at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Ms McEntee gave a "short contribution" as Taoiseach Simon Harris praised the work of multiple agencies to clear the tent city at the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) offices in Dublin city.

Mr Harris received the backing of his party in the ongoing spat with the British government over asylum seekers, but told his party he would not be drawn into Britain's politics.

While Ms McEntee was not criticised at her party's meeting, it is understood that senator Barry Ward was critical of the level of detail given in briefing notes from her department.