"Stick with the kebabs" - Fredo Speaks

Dublin Southwest TD Conor "Fredo" Lenihan (pictured), the minister for silly walks, who is regularly asked by fellow TDs if he remembers where he parked his spaceship, has managed to exceed even his own enviable record for most entries in the Big Book of GUBU.

After Socialist TD Joe Higgins asked a pointed question of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about Aer Lingus and the continued follies there and made a crack about the "silence of the lambs" on the back benches, Ahern began his response. But from the peanut gallery, up pipes our Conor, who - all sneer - shouts, "Stick to the kebabs!"

Most everyone interprets this as a clear reference to Higgins' outstanding work on behalf of the Turkish GAMA workers who, having been ripped off by their employer and ignored by the unions, labour inspectors and authorities who are supposed to protect them, had finally found a champion. Lenihan, incdientally, holds the portfolio of junior minister for Overseas Development Aid.

Now Lenihan has offered an apology -- sort of -- but it was an "if any offence was caused, I apologise" statement. Which, of course, is not an apology at all, because it fails to acknowledge any wrongdoing.

Joe Higgins, on the 1 o'clock RTE news, demonstrated why, though we may vehemently disagree with his views on economics and US foreign policy, we do so with respect and affection for a decent and honourable public servant with the courage of his convictions -- Higgins is a class act.

He passed up several chances to ask for Lenihan's resignation as minister and TD, and instead used his time to focus on what is, for him, the real issue: the fact that the Turkish GAMA workers' plight still has not been adequately addressed.

Lenihan, on the other hand, isn't answering his phone and/or declining interview request.

Conor is the Fredo of the Lenihan political dynasty, and it was Don Bertie's ultimate insult to the clan to the scion of the clan, Brian Jr, who by virtue of talent should be in contention to succeed Bertie as Fianna Fail leader, to elevate his idiot more colourful brother to Government.

The most cynical among us might suspect that Don Bertie was hoping for just such a Fredo moment from Conor, in order to so embarass Brian that future leadership prospects were indeed remote.

Flaying continues on Liveline, where the calls seem to be running toward calling for his resignation.(ends)

UPDATE 1: Slugger notes the spat. And PR/blogress Sarah Carey demonstrates why her blog is misnamed; if you can't see this as a GUBU moment, check and make sure a magnet isn't near your PR compass. Though sadly we suspect her 'ah sure that's just Conor' line will carry the day and keep Fredo in work.

UPDATE 2: Liveline reports calls are running 80/20 in favour of resignation.

UPDATE 3: Why this is different from the Kevin Myers kerfuffle: we wrote quite a bit about the reaction back in February to the Myers 'Irishmans Diary' about illegitimate kids that caused a storm. So before anyone comes to us with some 'whataboutery' on that score, we'd just like to note that Myers isn't a public official with responsibility for overseas development aid, nor did he have Dail protection.

We also, as far as we know, haven't heard anyone suggest that Lenihan be prosecuted under the 'incitement to hatred' laws, though it took just a couple of hours for more than one person to suggest that against Myers.