This evening.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar addresses the Dáil about why he gave a contract negotiated between the Government and the Irish Medical Organisation to former National Association of General Practitioners’ president Dr Maitiú O Tuathail in April 2019.
He opened with the following:
“I welcome this opportunity to give an account to the Dáil of my actions in April 2019 in relation to the contract negotiated between the Government and GPs, as represented by the Irish Medical Organisation or IMO.
“I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight and also the opportunity to refute some of the allegations against me and also apologise for my errors of judgment.”
Mr Varadkar will answer questions from deputies after his address.
Watch live here
UPDATE:
Second part of @PearseDoherty's questioning of Leo Varadkar #OldBoysClub #Dáil
[Twitter Version – 2/2] pic.twitter.com/ZqMKjJ54bD
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) November 3, 2020
At least there’s one TD not prepared to put up with the utter horse-sh!te the comes from the government benches these days.
Good man Michael.
The true voice of an angry Ireland.
https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1323670183374970883
I’m not angry. I’m splitting my sides. Is it his dress sense that you admire?
No, it’s more his ability to continually get elected with big majorities by looking after his constituents’ interests rather than becoming part of the cosy Irish establishment.
The fact that he and his family use flat caps to remind people of their rural heartland is a stroke of political genius.
You can’t buy a USP like that.
And all it takes is a cap.
And they love a cute hoor of course…but only if it’s one of their own.
Well paid spin doctors advise, Charger?
Which government bench are you referring to? Yours or ours? Getting confused again, Comb-over…?
Am I the only person noticing Michael Martin’s lack of professionalism (not that the Dail is teeming with professionalism) .. His little outbursts every time he’s challenged by the opposition.. Literally blowing a gasket every time he’s questioned on something. The little waste of space.
That was amusing. Varadkar lands Harris and McEntee in it. Then proceeds to repeat like a scratched record.
Doherty landed some sucker punches and put some bait on the hook which Varadkar duly took. Even Amadán O’Riordan managed to land punches. But last speaker, Catherine Connolly, left the debate in no doubt.
Next up will be the Gardai.
Popcorn sales soaring.
It confirms ( as if we didn’t already know) that FF & FG are as low as a snakes belly on standards.
Simon Harris hung onto the end and had to get a spake in to try salvage some respect. I don’t think he’s too impressed with Varadkar. Plus it came out that he was aware of what Varadkar was up to, but didn’t let on in his media interview yesterday.
I have no doubt Leo will talk himself into an early retirement at some stage, but I don’t think that this is it. Unless they are really holding something else back but I’m beginning to doubt that
It is really funny hearing Michael Martin referring to Veruca as the “Taoiseach”.
In any other EU parliament he would have resigned by now
Mattie McGrath and Catherine Connolly did the same this evening! What does that say?
Leo wouldn’t dream of helping out any other union leader. And that’s what the NAGP was, a union. But the aim of his leak wasn’t to get the NAGP on side for a deal. It was to get them on side so his friend/critic Maitiu would stop the games of attacking his leadership and decisions around that time. It beggars belief that he’s going to get away with this.
One wonders did Dr Maitiú have other dirt on Leo?
did Dr Maitiú have dirt on Leo or Leo’s dirt on him?
Matt, sorry Dr Maitiu, is not a close friend.
I had dinner with him and 6 others. Yep, Matt is definitely not a close friend………now
That’s the first time I’ve seen the pitiful snakey Varadkar nervous and close to tears but it’s nothing to do with his conscience, it’s because he’s being shown up for who he is – he’s absolutely useless off-script, then again, how is he supposed to remember all the lies, bad judgments, snide bitchy comments and belittling remarks he’s made within the past few months – much less the past few years; the problem with being an egoistical narcissist is that one is so enamored with oneself but the river of reflection keeps on flowing. It’s pathetic to see a grown man try to lie his way out of trouble. Politician Cheaters Cheat Us All, and cheats never prosper – unless one is an Irish politician of course.
Also, the Ceann Comhairle (2.12) refers to Varadkar as Taoiseach (that’s the second time today) the first was by MM; Varadkar isn’t Taoiseach and hopefully never will be again, why do people keep referring to him as such, that’s very odd – are our elected *cough* representatives off their heads on something?