2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:00 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 17:02 UTC
Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed he made a phone call to Culture Minister Patrick O'Donovan shortly before O'Donovan fell ill at an EU event in Co Limerick earlier this month. Harris described the call as routine and denied it was heated or linked to O'Donovan's hospitalisation, stating the characterisation of the conversation is not reflective of reality. He said he speaks regularly with ministers and declined to provide details of individual calls. O'Donovan, who has spoken publicly about his epilepsy diagnosis, was treated at University Hospital Limerick.
Harris rejected suggestions that he asked O'Donovan to step down, affirming he has full support for him as a minister and colleague. He expressed concern over anonymous briefings questioning O'Donovan's position, calling them hurtful and a betrayal, and said both he and the Fine Gael parliamentary party were upset by them. Harris emphasised his duty of care to his colleagues and stated that O'Donovan's wellbeing and recovery are a priority.
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