Tag Archives: Leo Varadkar

From left: former acting commissioner, Donal O Cualain, Taoiseach  Leo Varadkar and New Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at Government Buildings yesterday.. PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris been named as the new Garda Commissioner.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said Sinn Féin has worked with Mr Harris during his time in the PSNI and that it will continue to hold him to account, as it has with previous commissioners.

He said comments made by Mr Harris to the Smithwick Tribunal, that garda officers had colluded in the murders of two RUC officers, were very serious, and that allegations of collusion – North and South – needed to be pursued.

He also said he does not believe the Government has done enough to properly pursue the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, and that it must now follow up with the British government.

Mr Ó Laoghaire’s comments come as a survivor of the Miami Showband massacre described Mr Harris’s as a “massive step backwards”.

Stephen Travers said it was a “hammer blow” to every victim of collusion between British security forces and loyalist terrorists, and described it as “putting the fox in charge of the hen house.“

Sinn Féin ‘will work constructively’ with new Garda Commissioner (RTÉ)

Yesterday: The New Garda Commissioner

Rollingnews

Guffaw.

This morning.

Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin 2

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after presenting former Taoiseach Enda Kenny with the Irish European of the Year award, which the European Movement awarded to him “for his leadership in accepting Europe’s onerous terms leading Ireland out of the bailout”.

Meanwhile…

FIGHT!

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

This morning.

Phoenix Park, Dublin

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with Miniser for Health Simon Harris and Minister of State for Health Promotion Catherine Byrne (top left) launch the Government’s Healthy Ireland Summer 2018 campaign.

The Healthy Ireland 2018 summer campaign “seeks to encourage people to get out and be active together this summer”.

Doctors say this is especially important for people who take their health advice and tips from the  government.

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

This morning.

President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina cast their vote in today’s referendum at St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin, while Taoiseach Leo Varadkar casts his in Castleknock Dublin.

Meanwhile…

https://twitter.com/MicMacW/status/999904214607265792

Sam Boal/Rollingnews/Sean Defoe

Then Director General HSE Tony O Brien (left) and Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD at the publication of 2016 HSE National Service Plan in St Dr Steevens Hospital in Dublin.

This morning.

The resignation last night of HSE Director General Tony O’Brien after three HSE memos warning of the CervicalCheck scandal emerged has put the spotlight on Leo Varadkar

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland earlier, speculated that Mr Varadkar, while Minister of Health in 2016, must have been privy the briefing notes, including one from March of that year outlining a ‘communication strategy’ for the media.

The Department of Health said no health ministers had seen those memos.

Audrey Carville: “Do you believe that the Minister for health at the time, March 2016. Leo Varadkar did not see this memo?

Micheál Martin: “My understanding is, he’s saying he didn’t see it. The Minister for Health is saying he didn’t…”

Carville: “Is that credible?”

Martin: “find it very difficult to comprehend because in the department’s statement last night it is saying it [the memo] was shared with the acute hospitals’ division of the department and it was shared with the Chief Medical Officer.

Now the department’s senior management team hold regular management meetings with the minister in attendance and the next question is: ‘was it ever discussed at central management meetings within the department with the Secretary General and the minister?'”

Listen back here

Meanwhile…

Hmm.

Hmm.

Last night: The March Memo

Rollingnews

 

Further to this…

Last May…

Kevin Doyle, in the Irish Independent, reported:

A high-flying businessman who chairs the board of the Mater Hospital hosted a secret fundraising supper for Leo Varadkar this week, the Irish Independent can reveal.

The frontrunner to be the next taoiseach has held a number of fundraising events in recent months, including one on Tuesday night at an exclusive private members’ club in Dublin city centre. The event was hosted by Thomas Lynch who is believed to have made a small fortune through his involvement in the pharma sector.

Mr Lynch is currently chairperson of the Dublin East Hospital Group whose remit includes St Vincent’s University Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital.

He is also chair of Icon plc, one of the world’s largest clinical research organisations and has a colourful CV including a period as chief financial officer at drugs firm Elan.

The Irish Independent understands the Belfast native invited a select group of business people to a ‘meet and greet’ with Mr Varadkar at the plush Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club.

Businessman hosts ‘secret supper’ fundraiser for Varadkar (Irish Independnent, May 2017)

Related: Minister allowed O’Brien to join US firm while running HSE (Irish Times)

‘sup?

This afternoon.

Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) and Minister for Health Simon Harris with official Hospice dog Rian as they visit Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, Harold’s Cross, to conduct the official opening of its new €15 million palliative care unit.

Meanwhile…

Asked if he had confidence in the management at Cervical Check, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he had absolute confidence in the screening programme, but in terms of personnel, he said he did not want to condemn any individuals before the review was completed.

He said he wanted to establish the facts and urged anyone who has been called for screening to attend.

Mr Varadkar also said it was currently being verified that the 206 women were informed of the situation and said he thinks they have been and wants to make sure that is the case.

Harris says he has no confidence in management of cervical screening programme (RTÉ)

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

A Facebook post from Vera Twomey yesterday

Vera Twomey received a People of the Year award last week for her successful campaign to obtain medicinal cannabis for her daughter Ava, a sufferer of Dravet Syndrome.

Ms Twomey has claimed she confronted Mr Varadkar before the awards ceremony about the passage of legislation to make it easier to access cannabis oil.

Describing him as “rude”, Ms Twomey said the Taoiseach told her he could not support the bill as he had not received promised amendments from its sponsor, Solidarity–People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny.

Ronan Emmett writes:

Is he a liar or not? This cuts to the very heart of our democracy and people like him get away with it when good people say nothing.

Is Leo a liar? If he is he needs to go. This isn’t funny anymore. It’s time for some radical action.

Vera Twomey (Facebook)

Previously: And It Stoned Me

Vera Twomey on Broadsheet