Tag Archives: Leo Varadkar

RTÉ broadcaster Bryan Dobson

Just now.

Áine Lawlor told RTÉ’s News At One listeners that Bryan Dobson will interview Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar tomorrow evening at 7pm on RTÉ One.

She said it will be the first of a series of one-to-one interviews that Mr Dobson will hold with party leaders.

More as we get it.

Earlier: Buzzin’

Previously: [We] ‘Alienated A Section Of The Public Who Rightly Or Wrongly Perceived RTÉ As Biased’

 

 

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar shakes hands with candidate Peter Casey at the Presidential election count centre at Dublin Castle on November 27, 2018

This afternoon.

Via The Irish Times:

Peter Casey has put his name on the ballot paper in Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s Dublin West constituency as an “obvious protest vote” against the Fine Gael leader, while focusing on winning a seat in the Donegal constituency.

On Wednesday morning Mr Casey, the businessman and former presidential candidate, submitted his papers to contest the Dublin West race, having submitted papers to stand in Donegal on Tuesday. There is no restriction on a candidate running in multiple constituencies.

Peter Casey to stand in both Donegal and Dublin West (Irish Times)

Earlier: A Race Of Angels

Rollingnews

Yesterday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on the hustings in Cork.

Seems to be going quite well.

Earlier: A Limerick A Day

President of Greece Prokopios Pavlopoulos and Vlassia Pavlopoulou with President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin

Yesterday

Minister of State Finian McGrath represented the Government during the State visit of the President of Greece to Áras an Uachtaráin as all senior Ministers were unavailable.

Jack Power, in The Irish Times, reports:

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was due to meet Mr Pavlopoulos at Government Buildings on Thursday afternoon, but the meeting was cancelled earlier that morning, with Mr Varadkar attending events on the Fine Gael campaign trail instead.

…Mr McGrath is the only TD who sits at Cabinet who is not standing in the upcoming general election.

One senior Áras source said there was a sense of disappointment that the Government had not sent a senior Minister to attend the welcome ceremony.

‘Sense of disappointment’: Varadkar cancels meeting with Greek president (Jack Power, The Irish Times)

Pics: Irish Foreign Ministry



From top: At Leeson Street Bridge, along the Grand Canal, this morning where a man was seriously injured after his tent was removed by ‘heavy machinery’ on Tuesday afternoon; Taoiseach Leo Varadkar canvassing in Cavan yesterday

This morning.

The man who was seriously injured when the tent he was sleeping in was removed from the Leeson Street Bridge area along the Grand Canal on Tuesday afternoon remains in a serious condition.

Meanwhile, last night.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was at a joint press conference with the new EU Commissioner president Ursula von der Leyen when he said he never tried to make the incident involving the man a party political matter.

Daniel McConnell, in The Irish Examiner, quotes Mr Varadkar saying:

“In terms of what the lord mayor has to say, I have never sought to make homelessness a party political issue.”

“…No, I didn’t mention blame at all. I think it is reasonable that the lord mayor of Dublin, who is politically accountable for Dublin City Council, should also make a statement. I am sure he would be willing to do that.”

Earlier, yesterday evening.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin and Fianna Fáil general election candidate, Paul McAuliffe did release a statement about the matter.

It followed the Taoiseach’s call for him to do so as, the Fine Gael leader claimed, Mr McAuliffe is “politically responsible for the council”.

Mr McAuliffe said:

“I was disappointed that the Taoiseach went down this road today.

“A man was seriously injured and yet An Taoiseach appeared to be more interested in apportioning blame to someone else.

“Waterways Ireland carried out the works this morning. Officials from the Dublin Regional Housing Executive (DRHE) were on the scene to support any homeless people with accessing accommodation.

“I understand due to the precarious location of the tent, Waterways Ireland decided to make use of a mechanical vehicle. All of these details will now be the subject of a Garda investigation.

“There may be an election ongoing at the present but a human being has been seriously injured this morning.

“That was my first concern when I heard about it, and I wanted to find out the details and so I have asked for a full report.

“It seems that the Taoiseach’s first thought was to play a political game.”

Varadkar: ‘I didn’t politicise homeless man’s injuries’ (Daniel McConnell, The Irish Examiner)

Previously: “The Lord Mayor Should Make A Statement”

At Leeson Street Bridge [Updated]

Top pic: Liveline

Rollingnews

Today.

Former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, based in Naples, Florida, spoke to Going Underground on Russia Today about his book Frenzy and Betrayal: The Anatomy of a Political Assassination.

During the 15-minute interview, Mr Shatter also talked about Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, journalists, anonymous sources and the end of his political career.

The use of Shannon Airport by the US military was also discussed, in light of events in Iraq and Iran.

Yikesi.

Previously: Frenzy In High Places


From top: The spot where a man was seriously injured when a tent he was sleeping in was removed by an ‘industrial vehicle’; Taoiseach Leo Varadkar launching Fine Gael’s election campaign at CombiLift in Monaghan today

Earlier today.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other members of Fine Gael launched the party’s general election campaign at CombiLift in Monaghan.

During the launch, Mr Varadkar was asked by reporters about the homeless man who suffered ‘life-changing injuries’ when the tent in which he was sleeping was removed by Dublin City Council/Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Waterways Ireland near Leeson Street Bridge, along the Grand Canal yesterday at lunchtime.

An “industrial vehicle” was reportedly being used to remove the man’s tent.

Mr Varadkar initially said he was “loathe” to comment on individual cases “until we know all the facts” before he called on Dublin’s Lord Mayor and city councillor Paul McAuliffe to make a statement.

He said Mr McAuliffe is “politically responsible for the council”.

Mr McAuliffe is also a general election candidate in Dublin North West where Fine Gael’s Noel Rock is hoping to retain his seat.

Mr Varadkar told journalists:

“My understanding is that the city council and Waterways Ireland did check the tents before moving them but obviously something went wrong here.

“So I think it’s important that, you know, the city council and, you know, the Lord Mayor, whose politically responsible for the city council, should make a statement, and Waterways Ireland too.

“But the most important thing is that we wish him a speedy recovery.

“He is known to homeless services, has been offered accommodation in the past, will be offered accommodation in the future.

“We’ll do everything we can to reduce rough sleeping.

“I remember when we took over the housing department about three-and-a-half years ago, there were over 160 people sleeping rough on our streets in Dublin, that’s now down around 92.”

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

UPDATE:

Earlier: At Leeson Street Bridge (Updated)

Pic: Andrew Lowth


This morning/afternoon.

Annahagh, County Monaghan.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with Minister Simon Coveney, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Helen McEntee, Minister of State for European Affairs inspect a forklift factory with Martin McVicar, MD (pic 2) of Combilift at a Fine Gael General Election Campaign Launch/Brexit visit.

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews