Minister for Cheese would lead Brexit trade talks, says Martin

The FF TD who infamously made himself Minister for Cheese would be leading Brexit talks if his party found themselves in power, a Fine Gael Senator has warned.

Fine Gael candidate in Dublin-Rathdown, Neale Richmond, said: “During last night’s Leaders’ Debate, we saw how Micheal Martin floundered when asked if anyone on his front bench had any negotiating experience.

“He mentioned Brendan Smith, who famously unveiled a plan to give away free cheese to people on the breadline just hours after €6bn in Budget cuts were announced in 2010.

“The famously Euro sceptic TD, Eamon O’Cuiv, who was previously dropped from the FF front bench for opposing European treaties, was also cited.

“It would be an extremely worrying vista to see someone with such views, and who has previously said FF should coalesce with Sinn Féin, taking on the most onerous negotiations the state will face in the coming years.

“The Taoiseach rightly pointed out that the last time FF was sent out to negotiate a treaty for Ireland, it was for the Troika to come in.

“We in Fine Gael take Europe seriously, we have the strongest team, the strongest record, the strongest partners and the ear of European leaders like Michel Barnier and Ursula Von der Leyen for the next phase of negotiations.”

ENDS