Irish General Election 2024: Fianna Fail deny sexism against Fine Gael minister Helen McEntee
Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea branded Helen McEntee the “worst minister for justice in the history of the state".
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has denied his politicians have been “sexist” or misogynistic towards Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
The Tánaiste said that several comments had been “completely misinterpreted”.
Last week, Ms McEntee said that “women all over the country know what it's like when men try to take credit for your work” following comments from Fianna Fáil’s justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan. He said that most of the proposals introduced by her had been suggested by him.
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Fine Gael sources also suggested that Junior Justice Minister James Browne spoke negatively about Ms McEntee taking maternity leave twice during her tenure on radio last week.
He told Newstalk Breakfast on Friday he said he did “50% of the legislation" and that Taoiseach Simon Harris and Heather Humphreys had both done six months stints in the department.
On Saturday, Willie O’Dea said Ms McEntee had been the “worst minister for justice in the history of the state”.
During a visit to Ranelagh Gaels in south Dublin on Monday morning, Mr Martin said that he did not agree with Mr O’Dea but stated that other comments had been taken out of context.
He said: “James Browne has been completely misinterpreted here.
“Our position on justice is a policy based one, not personal, because we've worked with Helen McEntee and it shouldn't be personal.
“The big departure we've proposed is a new department of domestic affairs, which will embrace the totality of migration issues, border control, national security, intelligence, cyber security, which is the communications department.
“James's point is there's an enormous, huge workload injustice that needs to be divided up into two separate departments and two secretary generals.
“James is adamant, and he's quite annoyed that they've been misinterpreted in the comments and the way that has been suggested. Likewise, Jim.”
Mr O’Callaghan, who was speaking at the same event, said he “completely rejects” the idea that he was being sexist or misogynistic.
He said: “I would make the same point had Charlie Flanagan being the Minister for Justice.
“I don’t think I should be precluded from making those points just because the minister is a female.”
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