Minister Joe Jacob's performance in a RTÉ radio interview yesterday has been defended by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Speaking in Bray, Mr Ahern said that Deputy Jacob had had a bad day and he admitted that he has had those days himself.
He said that Mr Jacob had a vast knowledge of procedures in the event of a nuclear attack and never claimed to be an expert on biological or chemical attacks but he admitted that Mr Jacobs interview did not inspire public confidence.
Earlier, the Minister for Health, Mícheal Martin, defended the performance. Mr Jacob is the minister responsible for emergency planning.
Opposition parties had called for the Junior Minister's resignation, describing his performance as a disgraceful show of incompetence. Mr Jacobs had not been able to give precise details of how the authorities would handle a nuclear attack.
However, Mr Martin said this morning that the plan dealing with this was being updated and a fact sheet would be published in three months' time.
He expressed full confidence in the ability of the emergency services to deal with an emergency situation. Mr Martin conceded that it was not the best interview Mr Jacobs ever did, but he said that it was not a resignation issue.
