Animal rights group ARAN says it is "firing off a stiff letter" to Tanaiste Joan Burton urging her to think before she talks.

The group is referring to a statement the Labour Minister made yesterday in relation to the upcoming budget.

ARAN's John Carmody said he believes Ms Burton's comments were ill-judged when she told reporters that “there’s more than one way to skin a cat”.

“Joan Burton needs to watch what she is saying the next time she talks with reporters,” he said.

“As Tánaiste of this country, people will listen to what Joan is saying and we cannot have her coming out with phrases like she did yesterday talking about skinning a cat in order to sell her story of the upcoming budget."

Cruelty to animals is on the rise in Ireland and cats are most often the number one target of choice for abusers, ARAN said.

Speaking at the Labour Party "think-in" yesterday, Ms Burton said: "There is more than one way to skin the cat, as they say. The sixth anniversary of the bank guarantee is coming up soon. Our strategy in year one will be different in year six."

Online Editors