2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Louise Burne)
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has admitted that it “offends him” when TV shows or books from decades ago are rewritten for “more sensitive souls”. He also admitted he gets “angry” when he sees historical statues being removed. The Fianna Fáil leader made the comments on an episode of “The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy ”.
During the programme, Mr Martin spoke about being at a dinner party shortly after marrying his wife Mary, which was also being attended by a German couple. He said his sister-in-law, who was also in attendance, told him not to mention the war as he has “a habit of blurting stuff out”. Mr Martin continued: “You’re not going to believe it, I did start talking about the war.
” Mr Tubridy likened the moment to the television show Fawlty Towers, which the Taoiseach said is “one of his great favourites”. He added: “What I can't stand is all this kind of stuff, the trip to change it now for modern sensitivities and sensibilities. “I don't get that at all.
As a historian in me, you gotta allow the contemporary stuff. “I mean, how do you know what the morals of a given era were if you don’t know whether or not it's unvarnished?” Mr Tubridy noted how there are now often two versions of Roald Dahl books, including a version for “sensitive souls”. The Taoiseach continued: “That offends me a bit.
I believe in authenticity and it has to be as it is.” Mr Martin also said that he does not believe in removing statues, as has been done with some controversial figures, as people need to be taught about history “for better or for worse”. He added: “If you tear that down, you're tearing down history.
I get very angry when I see that going on.” Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here ..
