Bruton dismisses "story" about dinner invitation

THE Taoiseach denied that an invitation to an official dinner had been withdrawn from a political correspondent following the publication of an article relating to the Government.

The matter was raised by the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, who said that the political correspondent had received an invitation to a dinner for the Czech Prime Minister. However, following an excellent article, which mildly criticised the Taoiseach, the Government press secretary, Mr Shane Kenny, cancelled it.

The matter should be investigated and, if correct, the press secretary should be reprimanded, he said. "Surely this is reminiscent of the worst habits of the Nixon White House and certainly breaks the spirit of openness, transparency and accountability?"

Mr Bruton replied: "My information is that story is not in accordance with the facts. I realise the deputy reads Phoenix very closely . . . he is deriving his question here from a close study of Phoenix."

Mr Ahern said he had heard the matter in the House and pressed the Taoiseach to say if he had it investigated. Mr Bruton replied: "I do not initiate investigations in my Department on the basis of what I read in the Phoenix."

Mr Bruton confirmed to Mr Dermot Ahern (FF, Louth) that Mr Kenny taped his doorstep interviews with the media. "I believe it is important that there should be an independent record of any interviews I give, because when I am giving interviews I am speaking as Taoiseach", he said.

Asked by Mr Ahern if he was aware that was a change in practice, Mr Bruton said it was a good practice because it was appropriate that there should be a record of what was said. "If my predecessors were sufficiently in cautious not to record their words adequately, that was a matter for them."

Earlier, Mr Bruton said that Mr Kenny's role was to act as the spokesperson for the Government. Just as in the case of the previous coalition, he worked with his other two colleagues as a team in providing joint briefings for the national and international media.

He managed the press secretariat office which, in co operation with the Government Information Services, provided a range of information services including speeches, press releases, Government statements, interviews and press conferences. Mr Kenny also provided the Taoiseach and ministers with advice on media issues.

Mr Ray Burke (FF, Dublin North) asked the Taoiseach to confirm that, despite rumours to the contrary, Mr Kenny did not make policy decisions. He was merely the Taoiseach's spokesman and mouthpiece on behalf of Government policy and he "should really be dissuaded from this image of himself of being this great policy maker on behalf of the Government."

This provoked laughter from the Taoiseach, who remarked that he thought Mr Kenny to be "far more self effacing" than his two immediate predecessors (Mr Sean Duignan and Mr P.J. Mara). He added that Mr Kenny's predecessors were people of great quality who attended to their duties assiduously and worked long hours.

It was important to understand that the success of any Government policy position was frequently determined by how it was presented. Public support for any initiative was important. He took advice from Mr Kenny on matters of policy, and he thought it was reasonable that he should do so.

Mr Bruton agreed to a request from Mr Ahern to supply the transcripts of his American speeches. He added that it was very important to be able to speak to the audience directly when making public speeches. "I do not think it is a particularly effective way of communicating to have one's head buried in a script."