Varadkar: Not right to boycott NY parade over ban on LGBT groups
Transport and Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has said his Cabinet colleagues should not boycott New York's St Patrick's Day parade.
Yesterday, Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said she had made it clear that she would not take part in the event in protest at the parade's ban on gay and lesbian groups.
New York's Mayor Bill De Blasio will also boycott the event, but Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he will be taking part.
Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has said a Ministerial boycott of the parade would not work.
"I think it's better to attend the event, but at that event to tell people what you think," he said.
"This Government is a very strong supporter of LGBT events. We've demonstrated that both with the adoption legislation that's forthcoming and the referendum next year.
"I'd like to see us attending these events and saying that to the organisers, rather than boycotting them. When you boycott things, you're just ignored."
