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22/05/2008
Daíl Outraged By Taoiseach's 'F**kers' Remark
Brian Cowen was caught on microphone on Wednesday uttering the phrase "those f**kers", following heated exchanges in the Daíl.
It was revealed the expletive was aimed at the state agency responsible for consumer protection and not at members of the opposition.
After the row with Fine Gael and a debate on consumer rip-offs and rising prices with Labour, the Taoiseach said to his Tanaiste: "Ring those people and get a handle on it will you... bring in all those f**kers."
The comments were picked up by the Dáil's in house microphones as the chamber emptied.
After the comments were revealed, the Taoiseach's spokesman said Mr Cowen's comments came during a private conversation with a colleague.
"The Taoiseach did not refer to any member of the House. It should be pointed out the comment was not made on the Dáil record," the spokesman said.
"It was a casual exchange between colleagues and picked up by the Dáil microphone. In that context the Taoiseach regrets any offence caused by the words complained of."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was critical of the Taoiseach's remarks.
"I think it's conduct unbecoming if these words were uttered by the Taoiseach in the Dáil this morning.
"It's certainly not the kind of approach you would expect from the prime minister of the country," he said.
Earlier this week, members of Fianna Fail leaked to the press concerns the new Taoiseach had a much stricter and less diplomatic approach than his predecessor. During the heated exchanges, Mr Cowen's new approach was brought to the fore as he threatened to have Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny shouted down in the Dáil after he was heckled by Opposition party benches.
Mr Kenny reacted saying the Taoiseach has "an attitude that he can bully and dictate to members of the opposition" and "has taken a particular attitude towards power".
Mr Cowen also surprised many of his own party members by insisting all Fianna Fail TD's have full attendance at the Dáil unless they are abroad on official business.
See: "Ill Tempered" Cowen Defends Health Spending In Rowdy Daíl
And: Cowen Accused Of Stalinist Approach By Own Party
(DW/JM)
It was revealed the expletive was aimed at the state agency responsible for consumer protection and not at members of the opposition.
After the row with Fine Gael and a debate on consumer rip-offs and rising prices with Labour, the Taoiseach said to his Tanaiste: "Ring those people and get a handle on it will you... bring in all those f**kers."
The comments were picked up by the Dáil's in house microphones as the chamber emptied.
After the comments were revealed, the Taoiseach's spokesman said Mr Cowen's comments came during a private conversation with a colleague.
"The Taoiseach did not refer to any member of the House. It should be pointed out the comment was not made on the Dáil record," the spokesman said.
"It was a casual exchange between colleagues and picked up by the Dáil microphone. In that context the Taoiseach regrets any offence caused by the words complained of."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was critical of the Taoiseach's remarks.
"I think it's conduct unbecoming if these words were uttered by the Taoiseach in the Dáil this morning.
"It's certainly not the kind of approach you would expect from the prime minister of the country," he said.
Earlier this week, members of Fianna Fail leaked to the press concerns the new Taoiseach had a much stricter and less diplomatic approach than his predecessor. During the heated exchanges, Mr Cowen's new approach was brought to the fore as he threatened to have Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny shouted down in the Dáil after he was heckled by Opposition party benches.
Mr Kenny reacted saying the Taoiseach has "an attitude that he can bully and dictate to members of the opposition" and "has taken a particular attitude towards power".
Mr Cowen also surprised many of his own party members by insisting all Fianna Fail TD's have full attendance at the Dáil unless they are abroad on official business.
See: "Ill Tempered" Cowen Defends Health Spending In Rowdy Daíl
And: Cowen Accused Of Stalinist Approach By Own Party
(DW/JM)
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