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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Life of Reilly
Reilly apologises for 'stick to the day job' remark to singing nurse
It’s not been the best week for the Minister for Health…
HEALTH MINISTER JAMES Reilly was forced to apologise to a nurse who sang as he left the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) conference yesterday when he remarked “stick to the day job”.
After arriving to the silent treatment, the Minister’s speech to the conference had been relatively well received having joked about his fall earlier in the week and announced the appointment of a chief nursing officer, drawing applause from delegates.
But the mood changed as Reilly concluded his speech and departed the conference hall in Letterkenny with nurse Bolatito Aderemi, 61, singing “all we are saying, is enough is enough” which prompted Reilly to quip: “Stick to the day job”.
The incident can be seen here from 6 minutes and 15 seconds in.
The remark drew criticism from nurses and Reilly later revealed how he defused the matter by meeting privately with Aderemi and apologising to her:
YouTube: IRLINMO
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