A Boeing 737 Max with an engine problem made a safe emergency landing in Florida, the US Federal Aviation Administration said yesterday.

The Max, one of hundreds worldwide grounded after two fatal crashes, was being ferried to California, where Southwest Airlines is storing its planes while they are out of action.

The Southwest crew declared an emergency after taking off from Orlando at about 2.50pm on Tuesday.

The 737 Max was grounded in the US on March 13 after 157 people died in a crash involving one of the planes in Ethiopia on March 10.

It was the second fatal crash involving the aeroplane in five months. Last October, 189 people were killed in a crash in Indonesia.

US airlines are allowed to shuttle the planes but cannot carry passengers. The FAA says it is investigating the Florida incident but the emergency was not related to anti-stall software that is suspected as a cause of the two fatal crashes.

Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell says one of the airport’s three runways was shut down for cleaning after the landing.

She explained it is standard procedure to check a runway for debris after an emergency landing. It was not clear if any parts actually fell off the plane.

The other two runways remained open, and normal operations were not affected.

Southwest said the plane’s pilots reported a “performance issue” with an engine shortly after taking off for Victorville, California.

The Max 8 jet is now being moved to Southwest’s Orlando maintenance facility to be checked, a company statement added.

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Irish Independent

UK pub chain Samuel Smiths has banned people from using phones, in an attempt to foster “social conversations”.

Various pubs across the UK have been sent a memo making clear that people should not be allowed to use their phones or chat in the bar, and that if they wish to they should be directed outside in the same way as if they were smoking.

It follows a similar rule that saw swearing banned in the pubs. The rules are said to be enforced by the company’s 73-year-old owner, who is rumoured to enter the pubs undercover to check that they are being kept to.

The phone rule enforces a wide-ranging ban on phones and tablets, as well as including particular bans on “pictures of sport” and “music apps”.

“The brewery’s policy is not to allow customers to use mobile phones, laptops or similar inside our pubs,” reads the memo, which was first reported by the Manchester Evening News.

“If a customer receives a call then he or she should go outside to take it in the same way as is required with smoking.

“Whether outside or inside, tablets and iPads must be prohibited.

“Customers must not be allowed to receive transmitted pictures of sport or download music apps on the brewery’s premises either inside or outside.”

It concludes with a message that the “brewery’s policy is that our pubs are for social conversation person to person”.

Phone calls to various pubs confirmed that the memo had been received, and that the ban was currently going into effect. One manager said the rule was being loosely enforced for now, but that it might become stricter as time goes on.

Staff working at other pubs said they were yet to hear about the rule.

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Calls to Samuel Smith’s central office were unanswered.

Independent News Service

Theresa May has tumbled to defeat yet again, despite the EU setting out the consequences of that choice in the clearest possible manner. The door to an orderly exit by May 22 following the passage of the Withdrawal Agreement is now officially closed.

Given the scale of the defeat, we are therefore on to the next stage, which was announced by Donald Tusk, the European Council president, who will convene an emergency meeting of EU leaders on April 10 to ascertain the next steps. That is two days before the April 12 deadline – but in practice, say senior EU diplomatic sources, the real deadline for British decisions is Monday, April 8, to give time to circulate paperwork around EU capitals and ambassadors. Time is tight.

There has been an audible disconnect in recent weeks between Brussels and London over the likelihood of no deal – with Brussels repeating that it is the most likely outcome, but Westminster feeling much more sanguine given the size of majority opposing it in the House. But next week, we will see how able and willing the UK parliament is to take the necessary steps to avoid a hard exit on April 12, by requesting a long Article 50 extension period.

That starts with agreeing to hold EU elections on May 23, but that in and of itself will not be sufficient. As the European Council conclusions from earlier this month stated, the UK must also “indicate a way forward”. In other words, there needs to be a plan.

EU sources have hinted that the threshold for that plan is reasonably low, but that does not mean it is non-existent.

There are hardline voices in the European Council, led by the powerful figure of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who are deeply uncertain of the wisdom of a long extension.

The indicative votes in the UK parliament this week did not create a clear majority for any other option, and given the infighting between the soft Brexit factions, there is absolutely no guarantee of clarity emerging next week. Or if it did, whether Mrs May or a caretaker Tory prime minister could back a deal which is essentially a Labour Brexit with minority Tory backing – a red Brexit, with a dash of blue. Not the other way round.

If paralysis continues, there is then the prospect – even presuming the UK parliament has accepted the need to hold EU elections – that the prime minister arrives in Brussels a week on Wednesday with nothing.

The only clear “plan” is for the Tories to use a longer transition period in order to have a leadership contest – and probably elect a harder-line Brexiteer prime minister who would likely need to have a general election. In short, months more chaos and uncertainty. That remains a deeply unattractive proposition to many in the EU, and for businesses that have made no-deal plans and closed early for holidays, for example.

At the same time, the prospect of an EU member state in political freefall that is also in the process of looking to exit the EU raises fears of “infection” in the EU political processes at a time when the EU is looking to reform itself. As European Parliamentary elections loom there will also be influential voices, including perhaps Mr Macron, wondering if a clear display of the costs of populism might not hurt their chances at the polls.

This is a scenario in which even powerful allies of the UK, like Angela Merkel, may not be able to hold the line against those arguing the prudent course for Europe is to cut the cord. The European Council is not a rubber-stamp. Despite its hefty majority against a no deal, parliament needs to understand it is much closer to the no-deal cliff-edge than it realises.

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Telegraph.co.uk

Q: My son is taking a month off work to travel throughout Europe over the summer. Does he need extra travel cover or is his health insurance and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) sufficient?

A: It is recommended that travel insurance is always put in place prior to any trips abroad. The European Health Insurance Card only covers you for the equivalent of public hospital treatment in any other European Union country, which means you have no cover if the nearest medical facility is a private hospital. Also, most health insurance plans only cover up to €100,000 for emergency medical treatment while you are abroad, which may not be sufficient in the event of a serious illness or accident, according to Dermot Goode of TotalHealthCover.ie.

He says there is no cover on these policies for flight delays, flight cancellations, loss of luggage, theft etc. You can never have enough cover when travelling abroad, and Mr Goode recommends that you hold all three – EHIC, travel insurance and whatever cover is included on your health insurance policy.

More importantly, your son should contact his health insurer and also travel insurer to explain where he intends travelling, the duration of his stay, what activities may be involved (hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, etc) to ensure that everything will be fully covered in the event of an accident.

Where activities are deemed “hazardous”, it may be necessary to top-up the cover, Mr Goode says. There are multiple providers to choose from, but Mr Goode recommends the likes of VHI Multi-Trip or Blue Insurance to start with.

Q: I have been using various trading platforms, including eToro, for my crypto-currency investments for the last two years. I am hoping to be at a stage soon where I want to withdraw. In terms of tax, I don’t know what to do when the money hits my account. Do I need to declare my earnings or will that be taken care of for me?

A: The emergence of online trading and investment platforms, such as eToro, are making this an increasingly common question.

As is the case with gains from any investments, profits earned via these platforms are subject to tax. eToro doesn’t collect taxes for any government authority, according to commercial director of Taxback.com Eileen Devereux.

It is the user’s responsibility to file and pay any applicable taxes in Ireland, or with a foreign tax department if required. Countries have different methods for dealing with taxes, so it is important to check the appropriate code for the country in which returns are being filed.

Taxes must be filed, even if there are no gains, Ms Devereux points out. Capital gains tax (CGT) is the predominant tax applied to income from the disposal of shares or stock. If you make a profit from the sale of shares, you will be liable for 33pc capital gains tax on the earnings.

For example, on a share bought for €10 and sold for €20, a gain of €10 is made, producing a 33pc CGT liability. It does not matter how or where the stocks are traded, standard capital gains tax applies, Ms Devereux said.

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While CGT is the only tax applied in most cases on shares, earning a dividend is different in that it will incur income tax, applicable under the normal tax bands.

This income would also be subject to universal social charge (USC). PRSI is also due on what is known as “reckonable income” and includes trading, professional and investment income.

Q: What is replacing P45 and P60 statements?

A: Since January 1 this year, P45s and P60s have been abolished and replaced with an online system as part of PAYE (Pay As You Earn) modernisation, a process initiated by the Revenue Commissioners.

You will no longer get a P45 if you leave your job. Instead, your employer must now send this information electronically to Revenue.

The P60 certificate will be replaced by an end-of-year statement, according to Citizens Information.

Your 2018 P60 is the last P60 that you will get from your employer. Your end-of-year statement for 2019 will be available after December 31 2019 through Revenue’s myAccount service.

An end-of-year statement includes details of all your pay and the income tax, USC and PRSI deducted by your employer during the year.

It also records your Local Property Tax (LPT) deductions (if you choose to have the LPT deducted from your pay).

Most health insurance plans only cover up to €100,000 for emergency medical treatment while you are abroad, which may not be sufficient.

The P60 certificate will be replaced by an end-of-year statement, as part of Revenue’s moves to modernise the PAYE system.

Irish Independent

A unique, wow visitor experience – coupled with several engaging cluster experiences – is needed to boost visitor numbers to the county.

This is the view of Wexford County Council’s executive who believe the future of tourism within the county lies in cluster experiences and the development of an iconic attraction which can bring hundreds of thousands of visitors into the county from abroad and from within the 32 counties.

The Wexford Tourism Strategy was debated at length. Its aims include boosting tourist numbers by almost 20 per cent over the coming five years. During a discussion on the strategy one councillor stressed the need for the county to be included in the Wild Atlantic Way. The draft plan was adjourned to the next meeting of Wexford county council as councillors were only provided with a copy of it at the last minute.

Tom Banville of Wexford Enterprise gave the presentation, along with tourism officer Billy Byrne.

Mr Banville said around 5,500 people are employed within the county’s tourism sector.

‘The beauty of tourism is that it reaches into all areas of the county. Domestic tourism dominates. Overseas revenue has changed. Wexford receives twice as much revenue from domestic versus international visitors,’ he said. ‘We are heavily reliant on domestic tourists so we’re looking at growing our international visitor numbers’ base and revenue. The vision is to become one of Ireland’s most compelling destinations. There are a significant number of job opportunities here.’

The plan’s stated aim is to grow income from visitor from €221m in 2018 to €250m by 2023, an 18.7 per cent increase. Mr Banville said Brexit could affect tourism figures, before adding that the council is targeting one million visitors to the county in 2023, compared to 927,000 last year.

He said 1,000 more jobs can be created within the sector over the coming four years.

To accommodate the increase in visitors an estimated 4,684 beds are needed in new hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation providers.

Fáilte Ireland is marketing Co Wexford in the context of Ireland’s Ancient East to high spending foreign tourists. ‘The campaign is looking at broadening the seasonal and regional relevance, working with our colleagues in Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow, working together for a bigger and better offering. It’s about collaboration and distinguishing Wexford as the preferred destination for international visitors.’

One of the main planks of the strategy is developing cluster experiences including, for example, Hook Head Peninsula, taking in the lighthouse, Loftus Hall and other local attractions. Wexford town will be marketed as a vibrant maritime town. There is a coastal beaches and Greenway cluster experience, a castle experience and a fifth original unique experience, as yet to be developed. ‘We will develop this over the next year or two. We need a destination product, like a theme park, which has the potential to have international appeal.’

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The report states that among the new experiences to be developed could be The Artemis Fowl experience or an Eileen Gray tour in Enniscorthy. The strategy states that Carrigfoyle Lake activity park could attract 167,500 people per year. Road and trail works are due to begin on this project in the next three months and according to the strategy it will offer visitors world class trail network over 10.2 hectares, lake and cliff amenities for zip-lining, canoeing and climbing walls. Phase 1 is at design stage and phase 2 will look at utilising nearby beaches for sea kayaking, coasteering, water pursuits and open water swimming.

The total value of tourism to the county between 2012 and 2017 is estimated at €970m. ‘Our biggest attraction is run by a private business, Wells House. It attracts between 120,000 and 130,000 people but it’s predominantly from the domestic market.’

Mr Banville said capacity building through collaborations between the public and private sectors is vital. Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy said the strategy has been a long time in the making. She criticised the lack of detail in the strategy regarding food tourism trails, saying it is an area of huge growth worldwide.

She said the north of the county has been largely ignored in the plan. ‘There is a huge proposal for Enniscorthy Castle and that isn’t included. I hope the Norman Way will be pushed forward. Our festivals are county-wide and even if they only bring domestic tourists they are spending the same as international visitors as they stay longer..’

She said the north of the county has miles of beaches and wonderful mountains. ‘People don’t seem to notice we have them at all. There are walks, gardens, food trails. None of them are mentioned. As a tourist area the north of the county doesn’t exist (in the report).’

Cllr Malcolm Byrne said the strategy is important in terms of how it highlights the potential tourism markets for the county. He said two of the county’s blue flag beaches aren’t mentioned in it, while there is very little mention of retail tourism, which is an important part of the economy of Gorey. He said conference tourism is also very important to the town, particularly in Wexford town.

Cllr Byrne said there is an amusement park planned for the north of the county, adding that the council must ensure that the County Development Plan is amenable towards such a development and that planning permission can be built into the plan, which is being drawn up. Cllr Byrne also sought for promotional material highlighting the county’s tourist offerings to be printed in foreign languages and to be made available on ferries arriving into Rosslare Europort.

Cllr Michael Whelan welcomed the coastline experience strand of the strategy. ‘I think it’s one area that we’re seriously lacking in, marine tourism. We have no infrastructure on the Hook Peninsula; no accommodation for leisure boats, no marine based tourism.’

Mr Banville said food does form part of the strategy, adding that all key tourism plans are underpinned by having high quality food available at award winning restaurants and pubs across the county. He said Wexford Festival Opera is the only festival which attracts a high volume of international visitors to the county each year.

Cllr Murphy questioned if the strategy was exclusively aimed at growing the international market and was told by Mr Banville that that market is where the growth can be found.

‘There has been no increase in international revenue or visitor numbers in five years.’

Director of Services for Economic Development Tony Larkin said: ‘We are a big county with a very varied tourism offering and it’s not possible to list every festival. At its heart Wexford is full during the summer. We do have a strategy to get new hotels here. I am dealing with developers who are putting forward plans for four hotels. International visitors spend an awful lot more money than domestic visitors. It isn’t (all) about growing visitor numbers, it’s about getting more euros out of them. The difference is about four times more of a spend per person than domestic tourists who are here no a different type of holiday experience.’

Mr Larkin said Co Wexford is ‘way behind’ Kerry or Galway in terms of attracting visitors. ‘We are not even on the same page as them in terms of international visitor numbers. You can’t possibly do a plan to comprehensively cover the county as it would run to 1,000 pages long.’

He said the strategy can be reviewed after a few years, calling for the members to get behind its stated aim to target international visitors.

Mr Banville said: ‘It’s one of the challenges we have as Wexford has lots of great stuff but doesn’t have the iconic product that resonates internationally so it’s about clustering things together so people can have an experience in the county. The consultants who have written this strategy have identified these kinds of areas.’

Cllr Lisa McDonald said Wexford needs to be included in the Wild Atlantic Way tourism promotion, considering the success it has been along the west coast.

‘The Atlantic starts just short of Carnsore Point. The country’s most identifiable (tourism) product is the Wild Atlantic Way which stretches from the Cliffs of Moher to Carne. I think it’s a missed opportunity if we don’t include it.’

She said surfing in Sligo is the second most popular activity tourists enjoy, suggesting that Wexford could become a major surfing and kayaking destination. Cllr McDonald said Rosslare is an ideal venue for international sporting events like the Strongman competition, which is being held in Youghal this June.

It was ultimately agreed to discuss a final tourism strategy for the county at the April meeting.

Wexford People

Dublin is still the most popular location for financial services firms relocating after Brexit, according to EY’s latest Brexit tracker.

A total of 28 companies have committed to relocating staff or operations to the capital since the June 2016 referendum.

Frankfurt is second most popular with 21, with Luxembourg third on 19 and Paris fourth on 18.

The tracker does not provide detail on the scale of the staff/operations being moved here, but EY estimates that more than £1.1trn of assets could leave the UK.

“The number of jobs that could relocate from the UK to Europe in the near future stands at around 7,000,” the professional services firm said.

According to recent IDA figures, 5,000 jobs from 70 different companies have been committed to Ireland as a whole because of Brexit.

Cormac Kelly, financial services Brexit lead for EY in Ireland, said: “It comes as no surprise that the ongoing political uncertainty surrounding Brexit is continuing to drive organisations to relocate business, people and balance sheet out of London to European centres, specifically Dublin.

“We are seeing this first-hand with the arrival of these firms who are taking new office space and recruiting talent as well as seconding experts from their worldwide offices into high-value, skilled roles in Dublin.

“Much remains to do for these firms, however their plans are well under way – plans which are not easy to reverse, certainly in the near-term. Whatever the political outcome, it is clear that Ireland is becoming a leading hub for financial services in Europe.”

The report also tracks so-called ‘Globally Systemically Important Banks’ (GSIBs). It defines these as “banks whose systemic risk profile is deemed to be of such importance that the bank’s failure would trigger a wider financial crisis and threaten the global economy”.

Ireland comes in third place when it comes to attracting GSIBs, having attracted six here, EY said. Frankfurt, home to the European Central Bank, was first with 12, with Paris second on eight.

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EY Ireland chief economist Prof Neil Gibson said the tracker results were “a reminder that while disruption of any kind is challenging, it also brings with it opportunity.”

He said the results show Dublin is “making the most of its potential”.

Central Bank deputy governor Ed Sibley told the Irish Independent last week that financial firms’ Brexit relocations would likely come in two phases.

After an initial shift by firms copperfastening EU access, a second phase will follow when the nature of Brexit eventually becomes clear.

“We are a long way through the first phase,” Mr Sibley said, saying there had been more than 100 applications to the Central Bank seeking either a fresh authorisation for activity here or an extension to existing authorisations.

• Read More: Dan O’Brien: ‘Ireland would suffer most from a no-deal Brexit – and backing down on the backstop could rule it out’
• Read More: ‘I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30’ – Theresa May has requested a ‘short extension’

Indo Business

Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed has again highlighted that Ireland would make a case to the European Commission that support for its primary producers would limit any possible contagion from UK tariffs to other European countries.

At the Fine Gael conference at the weekend Minister Michael Creed farmers a “substantial” aid package if they suffer losses as a result of new UK tariffs under a no-deal Brexit.

“Because otherwise, we’ll be looking for a home for 300,000t of beef in other European Union markets,” Creed told Reuters in an interview.

Creed gave the same warning at a meeting of fellow European Agriculture Ministers in Brussels last week.

He said an outcome which results in a disorderly Brexit, would have a profoundly negative effect on both the Irish and the UK economies. 

“The Irish agri-food sector will be uniquely affected, with beef particularly exposed. The impact is likely to be immediate, and without support, at least in the short term, many of our beef farmers will struggle to survive.

“If Irish beef loses its competitive position in the United Kingdom market, there will inevitably be knock-on consequences, with significant displacement to elsewhere in the European Union,” he said.

The IFA estimates that WTO tariffs on Ireland’s beef and livestock sector will impose a direct cost of €800m per year, devastating the €3 billion industry and putting thousands of farmers out of business.

Creed said the government will seek to provide domestic state aid such as grants and intervention.

Dublin may also provide private storage aid (PSA) for the industry, an EU measure usually reserved for smoothing out seasonal imbalances between supply and demand.

In addition, Ireland would apply to the European Commission for exceptional aid under Common Market Organisation rules covering agricultural products, Creed said.

However, last week the Government delayed plans to unveil a package of emergency financial supports for farmers and small business owners who will be severely affected in the event of a disorderly Brexit.

The Cabinet is now putting off plans to announce the vital emergency aid package in the wake of on-going Brexit chaos in the British parliament.

It is understood the package of financial measures has been drafted, but yesterday it was decided they should not be discussed by ministers at Cabinet this afternoon, as originally planned. 

A senior source said the Government wants to see the “severity” of the Brexit the country is facing before publishing the supports.

Online Editors

British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to go for ‘third time lucky’ on her Brexit deal in parliament, taking the pound on another roller coaster ride as expectations of a softer exit work to buoy the currency only to be wiped out by a snapback.

On Wednesday alone, as Westminster convulsed with another series of votes on Brexit that split both the Conservative and Labour parties, the pound traded in a range that peaked at 84.72 pence to the euro to a nadir of 86.43.

With less than two weeks until the March 29 deadline for an end to the process, talk of a “hard” or “soft” Brexit outcome is being replaced with “fudge and delay”.

If Mrs May’s deal fails again, then the stance of the UK government is to seek a short extension of up to three months. In this scenario, consultancy Capital Economics believes, the assumption grows the time will be used to agree a softer Brexit.

As a result, economic growth in the UK will rebound this year to the extent that the Bank of England will be pushed to raise interest rates three times next year. Cue a stronger sterling and for Irish agriculture and food exporters something that is very close to a continuation of the status quo, with the result that the economy does not dip sharply.

If there is a longer consultation period of a year or more, the consultancy believes firms that have put investment on hold would push ahead with them now, boosting the UK economy and boosting inflationary pressure that could swing the Bank of England into action even earlier.

That too would be a positive for firms here, some of whom may have delayed their own investment plans.

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Irish Independent

Footage of Pope Francis repeatedly withdrawing his right hand as a long line of people bowed and tried to kiss the ring on it has gone viral.

The video, from the pontiff’s visit to a Catholic shrine in Loreto on Monday, drew reaction from both his critics and supporters.

The Vatican did not say why the pope was so insistent on not having the ring – a simple silver one with a cross – kissed in the long receiving line of over 100 people on Tuesday. It appears as if the visitors to the shrine in the Italian town of Loreto were not informed of the correct protocol.

A close aide to the pope who spoke on the condition of anonymity defended his decision.

“Sometimes he likes it, sometimes he does not. It’s really as simple as that,” said a close aide to the pope who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The aide added he was “amused” by all the reaction.

LifeSiteNews, a conservative Catholic website that often criticises the pope, called the episode “disturbing” in the headline of an article that included a long history of the rings pope’s wear and their significance.

“It’s high time kissing bishops’ rings disappears altogether. It’s just ridiculous and has nothing to do with tradition. It’s an import from monarchies. Much of the pomp around bishops should be ditched,” Tweeted Jesuit priest Russell Pollitt.

Papal biographer Austen Ivereigh, a supporter of Francis, countered by Tweeting: “He’s making sure that they engage with him, not treat him like a sacred relic. He’s the Vicar of Christ, not a Roman emperor.”

Some Vatican watchers noted that even former Pope Benedict, a hero to nostalgic conservatives, and his predecessor John Paul, did not like having their hands kissed – at least not by long lines of people, for the sake of expediency.

The papal ring, worn on the third finger of the right hand, may be the most powerful symbol of a pontiff’s authority.

As soon as a pope dies, the ring is immediately destroyed in order to indicate the end of his reign.

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Kissing a papal ring is often freighted with centuries worth of political and religious significance.

Reuters

Cabinet minister Finian McGrath’s career is hanging in the balance after he sparked outrage over his claim that gardaí had become politicised.

Senior Fine Gael ministers were furious with Mr McGrath’s accusation that gardaí were carrying out unnecessary breathalyser check-points because they opposed controversial new drink-driving laws.

Even after he retracted the remarks, made in an interview with the ‘Sunday Independent’, Cabinet ministers were insisting the Independent Alliance minister should not “expect everyone to forget” his comments.

One senior minister said the Disabilities Minister’s comments “should not be tolerated” by the Government.

“You can’t hold such appalling and ridiculous and insulting views on Saturday afternoon and then just change your mind on Sunday afternoon,” the minister said.

Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) chief John Jacob said the “disparaging” remarks had effectively placed gardaí enforcing the law in a “no-win situation” that left them “damned if we do and damned if we don’t”.

An Garda Síochána refused to comment directly on Mr McGrath’s remarks but insisted it was a “non-­political organisation” whose function is to keep people safe.

Mr McGrath was publicly reprimanded by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, who branded the comments “bizarre” and “dangerous”.

Transport Minister and fellow Independent Shane Ross was silent.

Mr McGrath was last night forced into an embarrassing climbdown after he came under massive pressure from Fine Gael and his Independent Alliance colleagues saying he was “wrong”.

He had claimed in a ‘Sunday Independent’ interview that gardaí’s implementation of the drink-driving crackdown, introduced by his Independent Alliance TD and Transport Minister Shane Ross, has been “over the top”.

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Mr McGrath also called on Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to “de-politicise” the force.

He said gardaí should always be “non-political” but claimed they are now blaming Mr Ross for new drink-driving laws when they are stopping motorists at checkpoints.

“That is being said at checkpoints. That’s not good enough. That would not be tolerated in any other profession,” he said.

It prompted Mr Flanagan to label his comments as “unwise, even dangerous”.

Junior Fine Gael minister Patrick O’Donovan demanded that Mr McGrath withdraw his comments.

Mr McGrath initially stood over the remarks but later did a massive U-turn, it is understood after coming under pressure from the Independent Alliance.

He maintained: “Nobody is more supportive of the work An Garda Síochána does – often in tough circumstances – than I am.”

He said his comments were “prompted by concerns raised with me over the past number of weeks”.

But he acknowledged the concerns and that his claim of political policing in the enforcement of drink-driving regulations was “wrong”, saying: “I am happy to withdraw my comments.”

However, there is fury in Fine Gael over what one source branded “a misguided attempt to gain a bit of publicity for himself that has backfired spectacularly”.

There has also been criticism from Fianna Fáil with justice spokesman Jim O’Callaghan saying it was “extraordinary for a Government minister to state that he believes gardaí are involved in a political campaign to damage certain members of the Government”.

He said it this was true it would constitute a “serious threat to our democracy”.

The AGSI’s general secretary John Jacob said he was happy Mr McGrath had withdrawn his “disparaging remarks” but said he couldn’t understand how the minister would ever consider gardaí to be politicised.

“We’re tasked with enforcing the law impartially and we do that on a daily basis… we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t it appears.

“If we don’t enforce the legislation and there’s an accident we’ll be asked why we weren’t more proactive,” he said.

“When we are proactive we’re told we’re over-active. It’s a no-win situation”.

He said gardaí would be disappointed that a minister would make such remarks.

Irish Independent