Tánaiste denies asking Patrick O’Donovan to resign after phone call before minister fell ill

Simon Harris dismissed reports of a tense exchange, denied briefing a newspaper about the minister and said his return would depend on medical advice

Several newspapers reported that Patrick O’Donovan received a phone call from a Cabinet colleague shortly before he took ill at an EU telecommunications ministers’ event. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed that he called media minister Patrick O’Donovan shortly before the minister took ill at an EU presidency event, but insisted he did not ask him to resign.

Mr Harris, who has just returned from two weeks of paternity leave, refused to divulge the nature of the conversation but insisted it was routine.

Several newspapers reported that Mr O’Donovan received a phone call from a Cabinet colleague shortly before he took ill at an EU telecommunications ministers’ event in Limerick earlier this month.

The minister has previously spoken about his epilepsy diagnosis.

It was reported that the phone call was fractious and took place shortly after Mr O’Donovan told reporters that commentary about his illness in The Sunday Times was the “ultimate betrayal”.

Speaking outside Government Buildings on Wednesday morning before Cabinet, Mr Harris confirmed that he had called Mr O’Donovan shortly before he took ill. However, he said he would not make a habit of disclosing the nature of telephone conversations with Cabinet colleagues to the press.

“Conversations that I have with my ministers are private,” he said.

“The way I've seen them characterised is inaccurate.

“Patrick is doing well. I look forward to welcoming Patrick back to work. It was really good to be with him and with his family last week.” 

When asked if he had asked Mr O’Donovan to consider his position, the Tánaiste described the question as “bizarre” and “so far from reality”.

Mr Harris said briefings in The Sunday Times had “caused hurt”.

However, he denied briefing the newspaper.

“Clearly, it wasn't me, I'm the leader of Fine Gael, and I don't need to brief journalists to make things happen in my party,” the Tánaiste said.

“Patrick O'Donovan has my full support and confidence, and I lead a party that has been very unified for a sustained period of time.

“From time to time, comments can appear from anonymous sources. But I wanted to call them out.

“It's never possible, by the way, to detect every anonymous comment from every journalist.” 

When asked if he had reprimanded Mr O’Donovan over his comments during the media briefing in Limerick, Mr Harris said he would not comment on conversations with ministers.

Mr Harris confirmed that there is no timeline for Mr O’Donovan’s return to work, saying it would be based on medical advice.

However, he said the minister was recovering well.