TD surely sets new record for saying the same word repeatedly in radio interview

A TD must surely have set a new record for repeating the same word over and over in an interview in a cringe worthy exchange on Morning Ireland this morning. 

When being interviewed by Mary Wilson, Carlow/Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said the word 'Mary' an astonishing 24 times in the course of just six minutes. 

The Fianna Fail TD was put on the spot by the experienced presenter and did her best not to answer specific questions over plans to house male international protection applicants in the Capuchin building in Carlow, particularly whether she did or did not attend a protest.

As she did her best to dodge the questions, she continually said the presenter's name as a preface to her answers.

Here's just an extract....

Mary Wilson asked: 'Were you personally against male asylum seekers being housed in the Capuchin centre?'

Deputy Murnane said: 'Mary, I am there to represent everybody.' 

The RTE presented added: 'It's a straightforward question. You're a leader in your community.'

Deputy Murnane added: 'We have to be very mindful, we are talking about human beings...I wanted to let my constituency know what was happening...

'We have to be very mindful that we are talking about human beings here, man, women, or child....my time as a public representative was to be working with the Department to get information.'

The RTÉ presenter added: 'I understand that and you've said that...I do want to establish two things...did you protest with those who were protesting at the Capuchin centre and we you speaking in favour of housing male asylum seekers there or were you saying no to the Department about that. Just two simple questions.'

Deputy Murnane again failed to answer and said: 'This isn't simple', she stated and was interrupted by the presenter who hit back and said: 'It's not simple but the questions are straightforward.'

'Mary, remember, we are talking about human beings.'

Mary again interrupted and asked: 'Did you protest? Did you support the protest?' 

Deputy Murnane said: "Mary, I will speak to everyone that was protesting there.'

Mary asked again: 'Did you join them on that protest?' 

Deputy Murnane: 'I am now Mary...and today I will speak to everybody...'

Mary asked again: 'I know ya, but did you join them on the protest.'

Deputy Murnane added: 'Mary, my time is more beneficial working with the Department...'

Mary replied: 'You're not going to answer that question...did you support the housing of male asylum seekers or did you push for families?'

Deputy Murnane added: 'I pushed to get information to confirm that children and families are going into the Capuchins now...'

Mary concluded: 'We'll leave it there, I did ask you two simple questions, I haven't got the answers to that but we will leave it there for now.'

It's well worth a listen.... CLICK HERE to listen to the full interview on the RTE website