Tubridy's agent tells Laois TD he sold chocolate not soap

Ryan Tubridy's agent Noel Kelly confirmed that selling chocolate for Cadbury's was where he began a career that would lead to representing some of Ireland's most famous personalities.

So it emerged in one of the lighter moments at the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts where the chairman and Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley sought to enquire about the agent's professional background.

The line of questioning began with Dep Stanley asking Mr Kelly how he would describe his trade.

Noel Kelly said his operated an agency.

Dep Stanley asked if this meant he was a negotiator or a consultant and what type of work had he done throughout his life?

Mr Kelly replied that his background would be marketing and brand including sales. Mr Kelly elaborated.

"I see people as brands. It is how you take a young talent. Talent, to me, is the person behind reception, like today - the people who make us feel welcome when we come in - that is a talent. It is the camera people, the floor people. Talent, to me, is not a rock god. It is not a singer or Tom Cruise, or stuff," said.

The Sinn Féin TD delved deeper asking: "What kind of goods did he sell? What kind of marketing was he involved in before he got involved with RTÉ, 23 years ago?"

Mr Kelly replied: "I have worked with NK Management and CMS for 26 years and before that, I worked for Cadbury. Before Cadbury".

So Dep Stanley asked a question that drew a few laughs on a tense day in Leinster House: "What was Mr. Kelly selling for Cadbury?"

Mr Kelly replied: "Chocolate".

After Dep Stanley thanked him for his reply Mr Tubridy remarked during laughter by some in attendance. "It was not soap, anyway". 

Mr Kelly confirmed: "It was not soap".