Spin doctor takes hit for speech blunder for speech blunder

THE Government Press Secretary Feargal Purcell is set to share his secrets for effective political communication at a special industry breakfast.

This is despite an embarrassing PR blunder this week – when a draft version of a key speech Enda Kenny was to deliver referred to his trip to Washington as his last as Taoiseach.

The draft was released without being approved by the Taoiseach – and had to be withdrawn, with the reference excised.

Government sources this week confirmed that Purcell was ‘taking the hit’ for this mistake.

But thankfully it’s not stopping Mr Purcell, who earns €115,000 a year of taxpayers’ money, speaking at the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.

According to the PRII invitation, the Government spin master will ‘share his insights into government and political communication, the

learnings from his career to date, and how he believes communicators can operate effectively in a constantly changing environment’.

With Kenny due to step down, speculation is rife in Government circles that Purcell may be teeing up for a move to the private sector.

Purcell has confirmed he will be speaking ‘free of charge’ at a €20-ahead breakfast briefing in the Shelbourne Hotel this month.

Former army officer Purcell said: ‘I am fully and totally focused on my current role which I enjoy greatly and have no thoughts beyond that.’

But the denial has not stopped tongues from wagging. A source said: ‘Purcell is addressing this PRII event, which is being organised by the CEO, John Carroll, who used to work for Leo. It’s all very interesting, particularly the timing, and people in the industry believe it’s designed as a way of Purcell progressing easily into the private sector when the time comes.’