I’m not sorry, says architect who upset jobless

olaoire_sean.jpgThe President of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has denied that remarks he made about the effects of the recession on his trade were offensive. Sean O’Laoire said a column and blog he wrote were meant to be “satirical” and he took the troubles facing architects “profoundly seriously”. Mr O’Laoire hit back at those who complained, describing them as “thin-skinned”. The architects who complained to the Herald about the articles said they were humiliated by the publications. Unemployment in the profession has now hit 41pc. The column, in the RIAI’s newsletter, was published last September, as the recession started to bite. Titled “things to do (and not to do) in a recession”, it listed tips including “drink cheap wine”, “walk about aimlessly”, “cross-dress and wear mascara”, and “join Libertas”.

Evening Herald