Apology 'marks end to affair'
Taoiseach Brian Cowen poses for a family photo during the summit of European Union leaders in
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ALISON HEALY and STEPHEN COLLINS
Minister for Tourism Mary Hannifin said today said she believed the Taoiseach's apology for his poor radio interview marks the end of the controversy.
Mr Cowen apologised yesterday for the radio performance that embarrassed his Government and generated negative international commentary. He went on television last night to say there had been no intention on his part to show disrespect to the country or the people of
“It wasn’t my best performance and I would like to apologise for that,” said Mr Cowen.
Speaking to reporters before launching a Tourist Industry Confederation in
“There’s no doubt it was a blow and there's no doubt that yesterday people felt hurt and sore by it and the public reaction was coming through to all of us as public representatives,” she said. “But the way that the Taoiseach handled it yesterday evening, I believe, did bring it to a conclusion.
“He acknowledged the reaction and how it had spun out over the two days and he certainly came to terms with it himself and I believe genuinely that's the end of the matter now," she said.
In his apology, the Taoiseach admitted this Morning Ireland interview on Tuesday was below par, but blamed his performance on the “hoarseness” of his voice, rather than being “drunk or hung-over”, as suggested on Twitter by Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney shortly after the broadcast.
“I just want to make it very clear there was no basis for the assertions that were made by political opponents about it,” Mr Cowen added.
Mr Cowen said people should not take any suggestion of disrespect or casualness on his part: “I’ve always taken my role seriously and ensure that I perform my public duties properly.”
He hoped the controversy would not damage his standing. “I would recognise that there are times when if something doesn’t go well that you have to acknowledge and be truthful about it. But, as I say, the assertions that were made subsequent to it were without justification, were without foundation, were not correct, and were not true. And I would hate to think that the reputation of the country or the office of Taoiseach would in any way be affected by what I had to say.”
Mr Cowen said he had told his Cabinet colleagues he was sorry there had been adverse publicity. “I’ll certainly make sure that something like that wouldn’t happen again.” He maintained his position was not under threat.
Mr Coveney said last nigh the accepted what the Taoiseach said. “It takes a big person to apologise in the circumstances that the Taoiseach finds himself in and I totally accept what he has to say. Fair play to him.”
Mr Coveney said his comments on Twitter on Tuesday reflected what a lot of people were thinking. “I do accept what the Taoiseach is now saying in clarifying the position that he wasn’t drunk or hung-over. If he says that I believe him.”
Speaking in Brussels last night Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: “If Brian Cowen says that he is sorry or whatever, what he should be saying is that he is sorry for his conduct as leader of a Government that has failed utterly to live up to its responsibilities.”
Before the apology, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin accepted the episode had been damaging for the country: “We clearly have to learn lessons from the entire event and now move on
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