Simon Harris rejects ‘characterisation’ of phone call with Patrick O’Donovan

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has rejected the “characterisation” of his phone call with Patrick O’Donovan hours before the media minister became ill at an EU event.

Mr Harris said he has “been clear” that the characterisation of the call “isn’t reflective of the reality”.

On Wednesday, Mr Harris confirmed he spoke by telephone to the culture minister shortly before he fell ill at a conference in Limerick and was taken to hospital.

The Tánaiste described the call as “routine” and made clear he had not asked his party colleague to stand down as a minister.

Speculation has been rife in Leinster House over the events that immediately preceded Mr O’Donovan taking ill as he hosted a meeting with EU telecommunications ministers earlier this month.

The minister, who has spoken openly about being diagnosed with epilepsy, was treated at University Hospital Limerick.

Mr Harris said on Thursday Mr O’Donovan has his “full support” in how he runs his department, despite being at the centre of a number of controversies, most recently a fallout over cuts to RTÉ funding.

Shortly before becoming unwell in Limerick, Mr O’Donovan had criticised anonymous briefings from Government and party colleagues questioning whether his health would result in him losing his Cabinet position.

He had described those remarks as “hurtful” and the “ultimate betrayal”.

Mr Harris, who returned to work on Wednesday after two weeks’ paternity leave, attempted to play down the contents of the phone call.

Speaking on Today With Claire Brock on RTÉ Radio, he said: “I think in fairness to everybody, it’s quite a bizarre situation that we’re now kind of producing call logs as to who I speak to and when.

“I say that very kind of respectfully. I was very happy to say yes, I spoke to Patrick O’Donovan on Tuesday, but I speak to Patrick O’Donovan on lots of days. I speak to lots of ministers.

“I’m not getting involved in the politics of ‘let him deny it’. Patrick’s a friend of mine. He’s a good colleague of mine. I’m the leader of my political party.

“I speak to colleagues on a very regular basis. If I was to speak to colleagues on a regular basis and then provide a readout of every call, it’d be very difficult to do my job.

“But what I have been clear on is that the characterisation of the call isn’t reflective of the reality. I said that yesterday, and really that’s all I usefully have to say in it.”

Mr Harris also rejected any suggestion of a link between the phone call and his party colleague taking ill.

When asked about Mr O’Donovan’s “ultimate betrayal” comments, Mr Harris said the minister is someone who speaks his mind.

“He’s known for being very blunt, and the statement that I issued tried to really capture the hurt that I know Patrick felt, because Patrick O’Donovan is doing an excellent job in government despite having had to deal with the health issues that he’s dealing with,” Mr Harris added.

“Patrick has spoken publicly about how supportive I and the party have been of him. I know he was hurt by an anonymous briefing, and rightly so. And to be honest, I was annoyed by it too.

“I have a duty of care as the leader of my party to my colleagues and Patrick’s well-being and Patrick’s recovery is my priority.”

Mr Harris added that members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party are also “very upset” by the briefing and said the comments should not have been made.