Donegal’s newly-appointed Junior Minister has encountered another communication issue – after wrongly diverting his mobile phone to a complete stranger!
The Minister of State with responsibility of Gaeltacht Affairs’ calls have been “accidentally” forwarded to a Waterford man.
The stranger admitted he had “never heard his name before in my life.”
While attending the launch of Co. Donegal Event Guide for National Heritage Week today, Minister McHugh’s phone was diverted to a number in error.
This has now been rectified and the Minister has spoken and apologised to the person affected for any inconvenience cause.
Patrick Ryan, from Waterford, said “I don’t know who this Joe fella is but people have been calling all day for him”.
Ryan has been fielding McHugh’s calls “all day, girl!”, calculating at least “a dozen… no, more that that!”
“His mother-in-law rang… I stopped her and told her (before she could leave a message)”.
Ryan did not know who Minister Joe McHugh was before today.
“Never heard his name before in my life…. He’s the junior Minister for Gaeltacht or something, someone told me on the phone.”
The Carrigart-based TD hit the headlines recently when he revealed his Irish was a little bit rusty after being appointed Junior Minister for the Gaeltacht.
However Deputy McHugh’s upfront approach to his problem has earned him many new admirers.
He just needs to practice his phone skills now!