A GESTURE MADE by Taoiseach Enda Kenny during yesterday’s Dáil debate on the Budget has come under scrutiny today.

Kenny was filmed making what appears to be a punching gesture with his hands as Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald was delivering her response to the budget measures.

The video was posted on Twitter yesterday and sparked quite a strong reaction from some:

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

We contacted a government spokesperson this evening to find out what Kenny was actually doing. They told us:

The Taoiseach was paying close attention to the deputy’s speech as he had to all Budget speeches given yesterday. Analysing a four second video for meaning that doesn’t exist is pointless.

Meanwhile McDonald was in no doubt about what Kenny was doing. While she was glad he was listening, the Dublin Central TD had some advice:

I’m relieved that the Taoiseach was listening intently, however a punching gesture is unusual behaviour to say the least and I would suggest not to be repeated.

Read: The government won’t be doing Seanad reform after all

State of the Nation: Did Labour get too much in the Budget?

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More