Paul Hosford: Anonymous briefings are not the place to discuss Patrick O'Donovan's future

Culture minister labelled assertions that he has become a liability for this Government as the 'ultimate betrayal' last week, amid continued concerns over his health

Patrick O'Donovan fell ill during an EU meeting at the University of Limerick last week. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

It was a strident, typically combative answer from a minister who has made that his brand.

At an informal meeting of EU telecoms ministers, Patrick O'Donovan came out swinging at suggestions he has become a liability for this Government.

But he saved particular anger for speculation from within his own party, published in a Sunday newspaper, that Tánaiste Simon Harris would move him out of Cabinet when he becomes Taoiseach in 13 months time, calling it the "ultimate betrayal".

“There still is a very ignorant group of people in this country who think it's OK to have a go at people because of their disability,” said Mr O’Donovan, who was diagnosed with epilepsy more than 10 years ago.

"I do think bringing a person's health into public discourse in the manner which it was, through an anonymous source, is something that I haven't seen before to be quite honest about it. 

"It was quite hurtful."

In budget week, the minister had become embroiled in cross-coalition battles on a proposed culture card for young people, and then with RTÉ over its funding on the Wednesday. On the Thursday, he had withdrawn from a European ministers meeting in Strasbourg on health grounds.

Those clashes, along with a list of more minor skirmishes throughout his time as minister, led an anonymous source within his own party to speculate that the Limerick man would be ushered from the Cabinet stage at the next opportunity.

But what was telling about his response at the University of Limerick (UL) on Tuesday of last week was less his anger and more his hurt.

A tough character

Mr O'Donovan is a tough character. He is, seemingly in his DNA, a fighter — someone who looks for contact with the goal-line at his mercy. He has fought with stakeholders, Coalition partners, and with party colleagues, and that has created a list of people who would be happy to see him out of Cabinet. 

Such is life. Such is politics.

But he is, above all of that, a man. A person.

To awaken on Sunday to speculation that his health, rather than his performance, could be a determining factor in his career would have stung anyone. 

Worse still, that the speculation came from within his own party, even if several colleagues did wish him well both publicly and privately in the hours after.

It was particularly stark then that Mr O'Donovan would be taken from that meeting at UL in an ambulance.

“The minister became unwell during the EU informal meeting at the University of Limerick and has been taken off site for assessment and treatment,” a spokesperson said.

After collapsing in the Dáil in June 2023, he was admitted to the monitoring unit in Beaumont Hospital, where his neurologist diagnosed him with deep frontal lobe epilepsy. He told this paper it felt like “the bottom had fallen out of my world”.

Mr O’Donovan was then hospitalised over the summer after becoming unwell during an official trip to Brussels.

Strain of the role

As a writer who sees the toll of the job up close, it is not in the least surprising that a neurological condition that can be triggered by stress and a lack of rest can be triggered in a Cabinet minister.

It is a gruelling, laborious job. Yes, it is well paid, but that doesn't mean that 14 or 16 hour days aren't your norm.

And at some point, people begin to ask "is it worth it?"

Around Leinster House, many asked that question. As a public servant, reaching the Cabinet table is the pinnacle. But as a man, there is only so many times you can go to this particular well.

Over the weekend as Mr O'Donovan remained in hospital, his family issued a statement which read: "Patrick’s interdisciplinary team at University Hospital Limerick are working with him to ensure his return to his department as soon as new treatment has bedded down."

This was quickly followed by a statement issued by Mr Harris, who curiously hit out at the anonymous comments, before wishing his Cabinet colleague a "swift recovery" and a "return to work as soon as is possible".

"Patrick is a valued member of Fine Gael and the Cabinet," he said. "He has served the people of Limerick and this party with pride for over two decades.

"Patrick has been incredibly open about the challenges he has faced with his health. I have seen first hand how, despite those challenges, he has worked diligently and competently in every role he has been entrusted with and it is my firm belief that will continue long into the future."

If Mr O'Donovan decides that he has more in the tank, then whether he is physically up for it is a discussion for him, his party leader, and his family — not for anonymous briefings.

But should he step back, it will be applauded, even by those with whom he has battled.

• Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor