Simon Harris admits RTÉ was offered 'statement' to go with viral video of exchange with upset carer

Simon Harris has conceded that RTÉ was offered a “statement” with information about Fine Gael’s actions on disability to go alongside a viral clip showing him being confronted by a care worker.

The incident has been described as “chilling” by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

The Fine Gael leader was in Kanturk, Co Cork, last Friday when he was approached by Section 39 worker Charlotte Fallon. During the exchange filmed in a supermarket, he was accused of dismissing her concerns about Government support for the disability sector. Ms Fallon became upset during the encounter. Mr Harris rang Ms Fallon on Saturday to apologise.

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It was reported on Tuesday that a member of the Taoiseach’s team contacted RTÉ about how the broadcaster planned to handle the video.

The Irish Mirror understands that an effort was made to suggest that “context” about what the government has done for disability needs to be included if RTÉ was going to run a clip of Ms Fallon saying Section 39 workers were “ignored”.

Asked about the reports on South East Radio, Mr Harris said he was not aware of any attempts by his party to stop the video from being broadcast. He said: “No, I don’t believe so. This was a very serious moment on the campaign and it was quite right it was broadcast. I always expected it to be the case.”

However, speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show on Shannonside Northern Sound, Mr Harris contended that there was contact with RTÉ during which the broadcaster was offered a “press release” with information about what the government had done for carers.

He said: “There's always constant contact between political parties and RTÉ and journalists during the course of an election campaign. I understand that there may have been contact in terms of offering RTÉ a statement or further detail about what my party intended to do around carers and around disability services.”

When asked if contact was made regarding that video clip and how RTÉ might handle it, he said: "No, I wouldn't accept that characterisation."

Fine Gael Minister Paschal Donohoe also attempted to play down the reports on Tuesday, suggesting that all contact with the media has been “appropriate”.

“It’s the kind of exchange that happens normally. My party and I have never threatened to sue any journalist. We've never threatened to review the impartiality of any journalist,” he said. “I want to emphasise again that any contact that would have happened would be entirely appropriate.

Asked about the story, Ms McDonald said that it was “chilling”.

The Irish Mirror has contacted RTÉ for a comment.

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