Bigots want Dr O’Gorman back in closet
THE formation of the new Government has resulted in the rightful analysis of all ministers, especially those who weren’t already household names.
The newly appointed Children’s Minister (among other roles) is Green Party TD Roderic O’Gorman. Interesting things about him include the fact that he has a master’s degree in EU law and a PhD in social rights. He is “passionate” about education, which you would imagine is a great start. He has green credentials, obviously, and was the party’s spokesperson on justice.
So, smart, intelligent, experienced and enthusiastic.
A pity then that the element most picked over is the fact that he is gay. Indeed, he is our second gay minister in that department, which is something about absolutely nothing.
Nevertheless, snide allusions to being a “Minister without children” were almost immediate, swiftly followed by accusations of… well gayness from some people possibly a little nervous of their own sexuality.
I recall that when Katherine Zappone was appointed to the office, someone who should know better remarked to me they were “worried” about the children. What she might be indoctrinating them with was the suggestion. Notions about gayness, perhaps. Or turning them into little lesbians by ministerial diktat. Who knows? Such ignorance is beyond understanding.
O’Gorman is what is termed ‘openly gay’, which only goes to prove that, to some, they would prefer his ilk to be ‘closeted gay’, because that worked out so well.
Personally, I’d be far more concerned about a minister who flouted drinkdriving laws, as a random example.
I don’t know Dr O’Gorman. I will, as I hope will everyone, judge him on his efficacy and work rate in what is a more vital department than ever. Succeed or fail, it certainly won’t be because of who he chooses to love.
Sorry affair if diners can’t be bothered to cancel
I HAD the joy last week of booking not one but two restaurants. One, a family bistro with the kids; the other, a bit posh with himself. It was wonderful to be handed food cooked by someone else.
You’d imagine, having been forbidden for so long, everyone would be thrilled to finally get out and support an industry hammered more than most.
Yet no-shows, the bane of restaurateurs’ lives, continue with monumental rudeness. Chef Oliver Dunne already had his seating capacity reduced by 30pc. And yet 13 people didn’t bother turning up over two nights when he reopened.
He took to Twitter with cheffy-like intemperate language, but I don’t blame him. How difficult is it, having already phoned to make a booking, to phone back and say: “Sorry, something’s come up?”
Take note, scientists
WHAT do Queen Elizabeth and Christine Lagarde have in common? Well, they both feature on millions of banknotes. Although president of the European Central Bank since last November, it’s only now that the newly minted €5 and €10 notes are being rolled out with Lagarde’s signature.
There’s a dubious science about handwriting, but they say you can tell a lot from the way people sign their name. In her case, it’s an appropriately tall and stick-like ‘Ch Lagarde’. The ‘h’ is a little odd, admittedly. Why not just a capital C, or the whole name? We’ll try not to let it bother us, but honestly, it’ll be all I can see now.
Forbes pronounced Lagarde the second most powerful woman on the planet in 2019, second only to Angela Merkel. Poor old Queen Liz made only 40th, which just proves image isn’t everything.