Fine Gael education spokesman Fergus O’Dowd has expressed concern over comments made by Enterprise Ireland chief executive Frank Ryan today in relation to the ongoing row over a trade mission in the US this week.
In a statement released this afternoon, Mr O’Dowd said he is concerned "that a public servant went out on national media at lunchtime today and failed to confirm that this conference, which Enterprise Ireland are attending for the three days, was actually running on Thursday, Friday and Saturday".
Mr O'Dowd was referring to Mr Ryan's appearance on RTÉ's News at One programme where he said the situation with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan had not helped the mission.
Mr Ryan said the benefits of having a senior Government minister at trade mission means doors the would normally be closed are opened.
Ms Coughlan, the first Cabinet member due to face questions when the Dáil resumes on Wednesday, was originally to be replaced by a Minister of State in the House because of the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to St Louis.
However, she subsequently cancelled her trip as Fine Gael decided to withdraw pairing arrangements for Dáil votes.
She said the trip was intended to promote Ireland as a study destination for the Irish-American community and deliver “economic messages” to potential investors.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he withdrew the pairing arrangement because his party “will not tolerate a situation where Ministers can plan as if Dáil Éireann doesn’t exist”
He said the Tánaiste was still in a position to rearrange her schedule and could go on Thursday afternoon if she wanted to.