Barry Cowen

2023 - 3 - 31

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Irish Examiner"

Barry Cowen 'sorry if people were offended' by sweets comment on ... (Irish Examiner)

The Fianna Fáil TD has come under heavy criticism for his comments from fellow TDs and members of the public.

I'm sorry if people were offended by what I said — it certainly wasn't my intention." He added: "If people were offended by what I said, it wasn't my intention. "I spoke about how this is a housing emergency and crisis.

Barry Cowen defends comparison of eviction ban extension to ... (The Irish Times)

Eviction ban: Offaly TD said he is sorry if people were offended by the comment meant as analogy for stopgap solution.

He told the Dáil that extending the eviction ban would be like “making sweets free” for children. He said it was nothing more than an analogy he used to show that extending the eviction ban was merely a stopgap solution. “It’s fine for a little while but ultimately detrimental to the greater need.” And I think that’s what TDs should be focused on. That’s a permanent solution. He said that Opposition TDs who expressed outrage at the comments were being pedantic, focusing on words not the message.

TD Barry Cowen criticised for 'it's like making sweets free' eviction ... (Lovin Dublin)

The incident is the latest controversy surrounding the lifting of the eviction ban.Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen has faced widespread backlash over comments he ...

"Keeping or extending the ban isn't necessarily going to solve this crisis into the future. Aodhán Ó Riordáin and Cian O’Callaghan are looking to shift attention away from their own (positions)". The instructions to which the TD is referencing include the Defeating the opposition motion by a margin of 81 votes to 67 on Wednesday evening, the government's lifting of the eviction ban will take place as planned, with the pandemic provision set to expire by April 1st. The comments were made in an exchange during the coalition government's overcoming of a Sinn Féin proposal to extend the eviction ban. The incident is the latest controversy surrounding the lifting of the eviction ban.

Barry Cowen sorry 'if people find' comparison between eviction ban ... (thejournal.ie)

'It wasn't my intention to offend them. Sure what more much more do you want me to say?' the TD told Claire Byrne.

“I know Barry very well. He responded “It wasn’t my intention to offend them. “There is a programme in place to deal with that. You can’t pass retrospective law.” “To be fair to Barry, he was on the radio this morning and he clarified that issue and can I just say Barry’s a hard worker, an absolutely committed public representative who is very aware and very conscious of the issues in his own constituency of Laois-Offaly and he’s a very good colleague.” More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

'It was an analogy' – Barry Cowen on comparing extending eviction ... (Independent.ie)

Former Minister Barry Cowen has apologised for any offence caused by his comment comparing extending the eviction ban to giving free sweets to children.

“I take it seriously, this is a housing emergency and crisis. “I’m sorry if people were offended by what I said, it certainly wasn’t my intention. “Keeping or extending the ban isn’t necessarily going to solve this crisis into the future.

Barry Cowen, facing backlash after eviction ban comments, failed to ... (hotpress.com)

TD Cian O'Callaghan described Cowan's remarks as a “new low” for the government. Today, when asked if his choice of words was appropriate, Cowe...

“There is a programme in place to deal with that," argued the politician. “It wasn’t my intention to offend them," charged Cowen. He only declared he owns the 32 acres after his party colleague Robert Troy resigned his junior ministry. "It is like making sweets free for children. I love my children." It is fine for a little while, but ultimately detrimental to the greater need."

Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen slammed for 'car crash' interview on ... (Irish Mirror)

The TD was criticised for his comments on the eviction ban ending.

sure what more do you want me to say?" I'm sorry if people were offended by what I said, it certainly wasn't my intention." The sentiment seemed to be shared across the board with another posting: "'I am sorry if people were offended' is not an apology. It is an 'eff you' to people being evicted. "He tells Today with Claire Byrne: ‘I’m sorry if people were offended by what I said, that wasn’t my intention… [Claire Byrne](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/claire-byrne), who is a strong contender to be the [next Late Late Show host](https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/claire-byrne-breaks-silence-being-29560771), on her radio show in an interview that has now been labelled a "car crash" by listeners.