THE Taoiseach has moved swiftly to dispel the impression that an assistant national press officer, Mr Karl Brophy (21), is the scapegoat in the latest Fine Gael controversy.
Mr Bruton told The Irish Times last night that Mr Brophy still had his confidence. He was pleased he had come to work for the party. He had shown enthusiasm and aptitude, he said.
Earlier, Mr Bruton had referred to Mr Brophy as "a junior officer in the press office of Fine Gael". He described Mr Brophy's letter to the chairman of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes as "a mistake".
Mr Brophy joined the Fine Gavel press office as assistant to its national press officer Mr Niall O Muilleoir, last August. He took a year off from his degree course in Politics and History in UCD toe take up the post. He had formerly worked on a number of newspapers, including the Star and the Sunday World.
Mr Brophy, a son of Mr, Michael Brophy, managing director of the Sunday World, was on a day's leave and unavailable for comment yesterday.
In his letter, sent on Thursday night to Mr Bernard Keeley of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, Mr Brophy indicated his delay in replying to Mr Keeley's query was due to a need to consult Mr Phil Hogan, chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.
Mr Brophy said Mr Hogan had now informed him that "Fine Gael's policy on the issue of Group Water Rate Schemes does differ from the approach taken by the Department of the Environment.
"I am unable at the present time to give you exact details about Fine Gael's policy on the issue because the deputy who is dealing specifically with this issue, Paul Connaughton TD, is at a meeting in Galway and is uncontactable.
"Deputy Hogan has given me a brief outline of Fine Gael's policy, which he believes may be satisfactory to you. However, we both feel it would be imprudent to impart any further details until I have consulted with Deputy Connaughton and clarified exact policy.
"I appreciate that you are under extreme pressure for time, but I can contact you again, following consultation with Deputy Connaughton, at 10.30 in the morning.
