Mooney defends St Patrick’s junket comments

Fianna Fáil Senator Paschal Mooney has defended his comments inferring that media criticism of politicians who travel abroad on St Patrick’s Day junkets is an act of “national sabotage”.

Senator Mooney said yesterday that media reports should not focus on the amount of money being spent on St Patrick’s Day jaunts, as the return is the “invaluable” promotion of Ireland overseas.

March 17th annually brings much criticism over Ministers and councillors jetting off to various events around the globe at the taxpayers’ expense.

Speaking on Ocean FM this morning, Senator Mooney said he fully supports extreme care when it comes to public spending, but St Patrick’s week is an opportunity that should be seized upon to sell Ireland abroad.