Fine Gael bugged over Budget leaks
Whisper it . . . Fine Gael has either sprung a leak or been infested with bugs, writes Fionnan Sheahan.
Just days before the Budget, the weekly meeting of party TDs and senators was dominated by talk of leaks to the media from the proceedings.
Fine Gael parliamentary party chairman Charlie Flanagan complained that a remark at a previous meeting was reported on the airwaves within 10 minutes of it being uttered.
Fine Gael took over the room on the fifth floor of Leinster House from Fianna Fail after it became the largest party.
To laughter from colleagues, veteran TD Bernard Durkan queried if the room had been "swept for bugs" since the party moved in after the election.
Mr Durkan turned to his colleague, Billy Timmins, and remarked: "Isn't that right, Billy?" Mr Timmins responded: "I won't respond to Superbug Durkan."
Despite the ticking off of TDs for divulging information, word of the frivolity made its way out within minutes.
Irish Independent
