It's hard to believe that anyone from the Department of Public Enterprise would attract praise this week, but Richard Moore's ears must have been burning with the unique (unless you're dead) cross-party plaudits he received in the Dail on Wednesday. The Opposition asked embattled Minister Mary O'Rourke about expenditure on PR since her appointment three years ago. Moore's salary of £46,046 as departmental press officer, £335 to a display company and costs for the Telecom flotation were the lot, she said.
Why then, asked FG's Ivan Yates, did PR guru Terry Prone consider the Minister "her greatest achievement". O'Rourke said she knew Prone socially and was "honoured" she should say so. However, she did not employ her. "I do not employ public relations people," she insisted, to which Yates quipped "perhaps that is what is wrong".
O'Rourke pointed out Moore had worked for FG ministers, Michael Lowry and Alan Dukes, and she was "very glad and very honoured to have his services". He was a "decent worker" and "he is honourable and has never mentioned any Minister for whom he previously worked. I regard that as a good mark in anyone." Labour's Emmet Stagg then got in on the act. The former Irish Press journalist "does an excellent job". With praise like this Moore could out-Prone Prone.
Quidnunc is at rholohan@irish-times.ie