Leo sorry for attack on media
Varadkar sympathising with trump on ‘fake news’ blasted
LEO Varadkar was forced to say sorry yesterday for an attack on the media in which he aligned himself with US President Donald Trump’s disdain for journalists.
The Taoiseach landed back in Ireland from New York early yesterday morning to a barrage of criticism after his derogatory comments at a private luncheon put him in deep trouble in the Dail.
He told politicians during Leaders’ Questions that he “profoundly regrets” the remarks reported which suggested he does not respect the freedom of the press.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald questioned how he could “have sympathy” with Mr Trump’s views on the press.
Mr Varadkar replied: “In a democracy, the work of a free press is as important as the work of the parliament and the judiciary.
“I profoundly regret that anyone believes that I don’t support the free press.”
Ms Mcdonald claimed Mr Varadkar was not interested in legitimate issues and preferred “spin.”
She added the Taoiseach “seems to run away with himself” when he’s abroad and that this week’s episode was just another chance to “have a go.”
Outside the Dail chamber, Fianna Fail’s Willie O’dea and Labour leader Brendan Howlin were both highly critical of the alignment with Mr Trump that Mr Varadkar boasted about in his behind-closed-doors meeting in New York.
The Taoiseach made his comments at a private luncheon in New York on Monday in the company of less than 20 people.
The audience consisted mainly of young professionals working in sectors such as IT, finance and some from the media.
It is understood Mr Varadkar said journalists working in politics in Ireland are more interested in gossip than substantive issues, and that there are perhaps too many working in this area of reporting.
He added he had “sympathy” with Donald Trump’s views on the media.
The US President has launched several tirades against the mainstream media in the States accusing them of peddling “fake news”.
However, in his apology yesterday Mr Varadkar said: “I support the work of the news media and I always try to be as accessible and as open to the media as I can be and, yes, there are sometimes tensions between government and media, but that is as it should be.
“I profoundly regret if anyone in the country thinks that in any way I don’t support the free press, or don’t respect the work of journalists.
“The free and fair and balanced media is a cornerstone of democracy and our freedoms and that’s why it is so important, but it should not consider itself beyond reproach or above criticism.
“This was a private event, it was done at my request. I wanted to sit down with young Irish people living in New York to have an exchange of views with them to hear what their thoughts were on the situation in America and in Ireland. There was no speech given. It was back and forth conversation involving about 15 to 20 people covering a range of topics.”
And speaking to his troops at the weekly Parliamentary Party meeting yesterday evening, he tried to reassure them he never said he had anything in common with Trump.
A senior party source said: “Regarding reported comments in the US, Mr Varadkar told party colleagues he wanted to be clear and said he did not agree with President Trump on anything at a private lunch and added that it was quite the contrary.”
Newsbrands Ireland, which represents the country’s newspapers, slammed Mr Varadkar over his alleged comments. Chairman Vincent
Crowley said: “It is important independent journalism in Ireland is supported as it is in other EU countries.
“The best way the Taoiseach and the Government could show their support for good Irish journalism is to support a number of measures being sought by the newspaper industry.”
It was also feared Mr Varadkar’s remarks might have blown the country’s bid for a seat at the UN Security Council after putting on a huge PR blitz in New York.
The United Nations states freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent and pluralistic media are its “core values”.
Mr Trump has branded the media an “enemy of the people” and has also been highly critical of the UN. Last month he withdrew the United States from the human rights council after criticism over its border policy.
And claims the Taoiseach was sympathetic to Mr Trump’s views on the media are unlikely to go down well at the UN when the choice is being made between Ireland, Norway and Canada for the Security Council seat. The general secretary of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland Seamus Dooley also hit out the remarks, saying: “Respect for freedom of expression is a core value of the UN.
“Attributed comments are damaging to Ireland’s reputation as a modern democracy, given Trump’s views on press freedom.”