Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has defended his decision to attend a UK music festival stating “the rules should be no different for me”.
Mr Varadkar has faced scrutiny from the live entertainment industry here who said his decision to go to the gig, although he did not breach any restrictions, was “in very poor taste” and “poor judgement”.
Breaking his silence on the matter, he told RTÉ: "The advice that we give people travelling abroad is that you obey the rules and regulations and the restrictions of the country that you're in, and that's what I did.
"I often feel that any rules or regulations that apply to the public should apply to me too.
"And if that means that you can travel abroad and if it means that you can attend a match or a concert, well, the rules should be no different for me."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Simon Harris have said Mr Varadkar is entitled to do what he wants in his private life.
In a tweet, Blizzards singer Niall Breslin, also known as Bressie, said although it was correct to say Mr Varadkar did not break any rules, he didn’t show leadership, solidarity and “empathy to an industry decimated by the pandemic.”
Earlier on Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin refused to say whether he agreed with Leo Varadkar’s decision to attend a music festival in the UK.
But the Fianna Fáil leader said the Tanáiste is entitled to his private time.
Minister Simon Harris has also defended the Tanáiste's decision to attend the festival stating he is entitled to “some down time.”
Musicians and well-known singers including Mary Coughlan said the Tanáiste’s attendance at the UK music gig was “in very poor taste” while ticket holders of Electric Picnic await refunds as they couldn't attend this year’s gig.
She blasted the Government and said they should have "put more thought and effort into organising events here outdoors and safely.”
Ms Coughlan told RTÉ that given the Tánaiste met representatives from the music industry ahead of the weekend and then went on to the event in the UK, she said it appears that "he doesn't seem to have any understanding about what it has been like, really.”
Speaking to reporters in Cork on Monday, Mr Martin would not say whether Mr Varadkar's attendance sent out "the wrong message" or if he would go to a concert in the UK.
He said: “I think what the Tanáiste does in his private time is a matter for the Tanáiste.
“I don’t intend to comment one way or the other in relation to that or to any other individual who has their private time to themselves.
“I made my position clear on it.
“My view is, the Tanáiste in his private time is entitled to do in his private time..and that’s it.
“It’s a matter for him.”
Minister Simon Harris has also defended Mr Varadkar and said he is entitled to “some downtime.”
Mr Varadkar is out of the country and is leading Enterprise Ireland’s three day trade mission to the UK, France and Germany.
Speaking in Cavan, the Minister for Further and Higher Education said his party leader has a busy week in the UK, Paris and Berlin.
He said: "He took some down time in the UK before that trip kicked off and I think everyone is entitled to a day off and a bit of down time, even the Tánaiste of our country.”
