'I don't get what the problem is' Shane Coleman has his say on the Leo Varadkar festival controversy. Elsewhere, a Fine Gael Senator has labeled Leo Varadkar’s attendance at a UK music festival on the weekend Electric Picnic was due to go ahead a "non-story". The Tánaiste is facing criticism after he was pictured at the Mighty Hoopla festival in London just days after reportedly telling events industry representatives that Britain’s reopening was not an example to be followed. While restrictions on live music and organised outdoor gathering are being eased today, Irish festivals like Electric Picnic were not able to go ahead due to uncertainty over what restrictions would be in place by the time they rolled around. Electric Picnic was originally pushed back to later this month before being officially cancelled last week. Music industry representatives have reacted angrily to the pictures of Minister Varadkar attending the London festival, while former Fine Gael TD Kate O’Connell described his decision to attend as “tone deaf.” On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer insisted the controversy was a “non-story.” “Leo Varadkar was in London from my understanding on a private visit over the weekend before a trade mission starts today,” he said. “In our case, today we have seen the lifting of restrictions on concerts and the entertainment industry. Leo Varadkar has been a supporter and a strong advocate of events like Electric Picnic, which wasn’t cancelled by Government. “This story to me highlights the overarching debate we need to have around what is the right of public figures to privacy versus the right to information. "In my opinion, it just shows that we live in a society now where people are rushing to judge and make comments.”