Restaurants chief says sorry for ‘ironing and cooking’ tweet which mocked International Women’s Day

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland  

June 02 2021 02:30 AM

---

The head of a vocal lobby group has apologised for describing International Women’s Day as “ironing and cooking day”.

Ahead of his meeting today with Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, the chief executive of the representative body for restaurants said his comment was “an ill-judged attempt at humour”.

Restaurants Association of Ireland CEO Adrian Cummins made the remark on Twitter. He said: “Is today international ironing and cooking day? Sorry I was corrected it’s international women’s day.” 

The tweet was posted in 2012 and Mr Cummins was CEO of the association at the time. The comment stayed on Mr Cummins’s account until yesterday, when he deleted it. The account clearly identifies Mr Cummins as head of the association. He said he apologised for any hurt caused “at the time”.

“This is my personal Twitter account which I have used as a communications tool over the last number of years as a hybrid for personal and job-related communication. The tweet I sent nine years ago does not reflect my own personal views then or now.

“It was an ill-judged attempt at humour which is regrettable. Looking back at the tweet nine years ago it was inappropriate, unprofessional and wrong and I apologise for any hurt caused at the time,” Mr Cummins said.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is threatening legal action against a Government decision not to allow restaurants open for indoor dining from today, along with hotels. Outdoor dining will begin next Monday. Indoor hospitality will open for pubs and restaurants on July 7.

Mr Cummins will be among the lobby groups attending the Hospitality and Tourism Forum with Ms Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar today.