O'Rourke moved to tears by McDaid remarks
The Minister for Enterprise, Mary O’Rourke, said she was moved to tears by the scandal surrounding Minister McDaid’s comments on suicide.
“I cried last night, I did, because it brought other losses to my mind but that is another matter. I knew people would be hurt and we all know people who have suffered through suicide. It was extremely hurtful and I just apologise again on his behalf.”
The Labour Party is calling on the Toaiseach to sack Jim McDaid. Speaking at a recent youth conference, Minister McDaid said anyone who took their own life is “selfish and cowardly”.
Denying any allegations of political opportunism, Deputy Eamonn Gilmore said the Donegal Minister should be punished for his ignorant remarks on suicide.
“If the Toaiseach doesn’t sack Deputy McDaid in the next couple of weeks then the people of Donegal should do so because the remarks he made yesterday are cruel, insensitive, ignorant and they have caused a lot of hurt to the families of suicide victims. What these families don’t need now is another FF minister adding to their woes.”
Dr McDaid has again apologised unreservedly for the remarks.
The Tourism Minister said he had been provocative in the hope that it would be preventative and stop further needless loss of life. “I withdraw my remarks completely and I am sorry I made them. I have raised the issue, at least I have got it into discussion, I suggested to certain people there that night that it would be a good discussion at the right time, but not at election time. But this would be a good subject to debate openly.”
Earlier today former Sports Minister and out-going Fine Gael TD, Bernard Allen, has called for the resignation McDaid following his comments. Deputy Allen said his remarks were unacceptable and he had to go.
"It certainly is a resignation matter and I believe the Minister should resign immediately because of these reckless statements. I am making a simple request for him to resign and I won't go further than that because of the sensitive subject that he touched on in such an insensitive way. I think an apology in this case is insufficient and he should consider his position."
