The thing is if asked, a manager is then given the choice of giving a mundane blah blah response, or giving his opinion. I am fairly confident any said about Ireland will be nothing different to that he has said to Ireland himself, and the comments on Carew are hardly controversial - just made more so by Carew not liking them and doing an interview in the Norwegian press. Houllier has one more in British football than MON has, so I think Carew needs to show a bit more respect to be honest.