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A vital investigation into how Irish government ministers use emojis

It time for government ministers to be a little less Simon Coveney and a lot more Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

Mar 21st 2018, 4:01 PM 14,953 Views 0 Comments

LEO VARADKAR’S MISUSE of emoji’s of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend caused much amusement and scoffing on social media.

Now in defence of Leo, when you’re in a rush to tweet, the Ivory Coast flag DOES look like the Irish flag. Apart from the fact that it’s the opposite way around.

In fairness he’s well capable of using emojis when he wants to,

Following on from this we decided to do an investigation and see how (or even if) other government ministers are using their emoji’s.

No shows: Katherine Zappone, Michael Creed, Michael Ring

1. Simon Harris – Minister for Health

Aside from his polite replies to people about women’s right to bodily autonomy, Simon uses the odd emoji in his tweets.

Like Leo he was very excited about the Grand Slam over the weekend,

He also isn’t afraid of showing his lighter side when it comes to opinion polls.

Emoji use: 4.5/10

2. Eoghan Murphy – Minister for Housing

When he’s not attempting to sort out the housing crisis, Minister Murphy appears to be a big fan of Twitter in general.

His emoji use is interesting. He’s the last government minister I expected to be using the sticky out tongue emoji.

He’s definitely more of a hipster emoji user.

And there’s this excellent tweet and honestly the little duck emoji makes it.

Emoji use: 8/10

ducks Source: GIPHY

3. Simon Coveney – Minister for Foreign Affairs

Simon Coveney is a serious man. He doesn’t really have time for emoji’s although he does use them more than Simon Harris.

It’s clear he has a favourite though.

We just want to see some variety Simon.

He did seem very happy about the cold weather in Belfast though.

Emoji use: 5/10

4. Shane Ross – Minister for Transport

When he’s not awarding sports grants to schools in his constituency that don’t need them, Shane Ross is supposed to be fixing the transport system. Which he’s not doing either.

His emoji use is poor too although I do love the little embarrassed face.

A fine summation of his time as Minister.

Emoji use: 3/10

5. Richard Bruton – Minister for Education

Again it’s the rugby which seems to get these ministers excited. Emojis are for life, not just for historic sports events guys. At least he used the right rugby ball emoji.

I would also like everyone to appreciate the emoji use for announcing he was creating an Instagram. Top notch.

His Instagram is cracking to be honest. Look how much effort he put in for Valentine’s Day!

Emoji use: 5/10
Instagram use: 8/10

6. Paul Kehoe – Minister for Defence

Paul Kehoe is a man we hear little about. His Twitter account is odd in the sense that Leo Varadkar is actually the main person in Kehoe’s profile picture. Come on Paul, love yourself first.

Capture Source: Paul Kehoe/Twitter

His emoji use is quite good (not Murphy good though). My particular favourite is his devotion to Marty Morrissey when he was on Dancing with the Stars.

He’s not afraid to break out the hand emojis when needed either.

He loves a good news story too. Double thumbs up! Take that Coveney!

Phenomenal stuff.

Emoji use: 7/10

7. Charlie Flanagan – Minister for Justice

Right first of all, Charlie was using the correct rugby ball emoji before anyone else so kudos to him here.

He’s a man for all seasons.

His emoji use came into its own during the snow though.

He was the go-to man for weather updates.

Reminding us what the emojis stand for too. Good man Charlie.

Emoji use: 8/10

8. Denis Naughten – Minister for Communication

You would think a Minister for Communication would have better emoji usage but alas this is not the case. The only extra emoji I could find was the Canadian flag emoji which frankly is the bare minimum if you’re a visiting dignitary.

Minister for Business and Enterprise Heather Humphreys also falls into this category.

Poor showing.

Emoji use: 2/10

9. Josepha Madigan – Minister for Culture

Josepha Madigan has an emoji in her username so she’s ahead in that aspect. She’s a laywer which explains the scales and also explains why she still has her lawer of the year medal.

She’s also not afraid a good snowman emoji.

And she loves a good book too.

Unfortunately her screen name isn’t quite enough to trump Eoghan Murphy (I’m sorry it’s the duck emoji).

Emoji use: 7.5/10

10. Pascal Donohoe – Minister for Finance

Minister Donohoe like ministers Coveney and Kehoe is a big fan of the thumbs up emoji too as well as Spurs which is always good to know.

He’s really proud of Chapters bookstore though which is nice.

He does save himself though by being the only minister I can find who uses the thinking face emoji.

Emoji use: 6.5/10

11. Mary Mitchell O’Connor - Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation

Mary Mitchell O’Connor is on another LEVEL regarding emoji use. Firstly she’s the only person using crying face emojis.

She’s also just mad into her sport and her green heart emojis.

And then there’s this.

Emoji use: 9.5/10

12. Regina Doherty – Minister for Social Protection

Having stepped into Leo’s old job, we don’t really hear that much about Regina Doherty, Her emoji use is amazing though. We have the first appearance of love heart eyes emoji.

She really likes her fun emojis though which is something we need more of in public office.

It would definitely lighten the mood though.

Emoji use: 8.5/10

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About the author:

About the author
Rachel O'Neill
@ronronzo
rachel@dailyedge.ie

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