COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER Pat Rabbitte wasn’t taking questions on the big political issue of the day this lunchtime.
Labour MEP Phil Prendergast threw a spanner in the works of the party’s European and Local Elections campaign this morning by calling for an immediate change in leadership.
She said Eamon Gilmore had to resign, for the sake of the party. Her comments followed an opinion poll that put support for her candidacy in Ireland South at just 4 per cent.
Arriving at an event to launch the country’s new postcode system this morning, the Minister stopped to speak to reporters, but chose not to address the issue of Prendergast’s comments.
Asked for his reaction to the MEP’s statement, the Communications Minister chose instead to talk instead about his business at the event he was attending and the various merits of the postcode system (which, we should add, have already been well publicised).
He spoke for just over 70 seconds, before turning and making his way into the building.
Asked, as he walked away, whether he still supported Gilmore’s position as leader, Rabbitte replied, “of course I do”.
(Youtube: TheJournal.ie)
Meanwhile, one of Rabbitte’s Labour colleagues in the Cabinet was taking a different approach to the Prendergast controversy this afternoon.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin took part in a campaign event in Carlow, as planned, with the MEP.
The event was scheduled ahead of Prendergast’s call for Gilmore to resign.
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