The Taoiseach has apologised to a disability worker after an exchange in Kanturk, County Cork last night.
Simon Harris was approached by a woman who said the disability sector had been ignored in the budget - which he denied - before turning away.
The moment was captured by RTÉ.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was approached during a canvass this evening by a woman who says she is a carer, and who said she believes the Government has "done nothing for us" | follow live: https://t.co/eUoCK3Qb5Y pic.twitter.com/MXiN9b60Ke
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 22, 2024
This morning, Simon Harris posted on Instagram, saying he feels really bad following the exchange, which was widely reported across social media.
View this post on Instagram
“I want to say I didn’t give her the time I should have given her,” he said in the video.
“I feel really bad about that because it’s not who I am, it’s not what makes me tick.
“I really, really, really passionately believe in disability services.
“So, I do hope to be able to have a longer conversation with her because I want you to know and I want her to know that I’m absolutely in the business of listening, of learning and of acting when it comes to disability services.
“I always, always will be.”
The Taoiseach has previously called for reforms to the Disability Act.
