Irish incomprehension at Famine comedy plan

There has been a furious response to news that a British broadcaster has commissioned a ‘comedy’ television series based on the Irish famine when an estimated one million people died of starvation and disease as a result of British colonial policy in Ireland.

On Wednesday, the Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly tweeted that 2015 offered Ireland the choice of “constitutional politics or cult politics”. After being challenged on the comment by Sinn Fein TD Padraig MacLochlainn, he added that he’d “left out the n”.

Flanagan declined to apologise for the statement, but only said that he was sorry is people took offence. “I don’t use bad language. I apologise if offence was taken,” he said.

Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams said the remarks were an indication of the attitude of the current coalition government in Dublin.

“The arrogance and disdain with which the hovernment treats the Opposition and Sinn Fein in particular, has become a hallmark of its tenure,” he said.

“If one wants an insight into the attitude and approach of the Irish Government at the recent political negotiations at Stormont, one need look no further that the latest outburst by Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan when he posted offensive comments on social media.

“It is clear now that the Government intends to begin the 2015 political year with the same arrogance in which it concluded 2014.”

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, Flanagan frequently attends talks in Belfast alongside Sinn Fein leaders, but has often been criticised by them for his disengagement from the peace process.

Mr Mac Lochlainn said the minister should apologise to the public for the remarks. “His comments were clearly inappropriate to the office that he holds. I personally don’t need an apology... However, I do think he should apologise to the citizens of Ireland for making a comment that is unbecoming of the office he holds.”

Urgent Appeal