Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar arriving at Dublin Castle for Cabinet this morning
Leo Varadkar says plans to allow indoor dining to resume from July 5th are “still on track” – saying the Delta variant is a reason for concern, but not panic. https://t.co/FhDE6s8sc4
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 22, 2021
This morning.
Ireland ‘Still On Track’ To End Travel Restrictions on July 5 (Newstalk)
This morning.
Dublin Zoo.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar feeds the Sea Lions during a visit to the zoo.
Slippery.
Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
‘Pollsters’ for FG and Leo Varadkar were given fake business cards with the name ‘Political Research Association of Ireland’
A person who took part in the polling in Dublin West in the run-up to the 2011 election said they were never paid the €50 they were promised for the work https://t.co/poCF9Qc4Hl
— Hugh O’Connell (@oconnellhugh) June 11, 2021
This morning/afternoon.
Meanwhile…
They ripped the students off 🤮
There is no chance that Harris was unaware when he was interviewed… literally no chance at at all that Harris wasn't aware that Varadkar's re-election bid involved ripping students off for impersonating pollsters and covertly polling citizens 🤣
— Brían Tríagáin (@BTriagain) June 11, 2021
Meanwhile…
It comes as former taoiseach Bertie Ahern contradicted his successor Micheál Martin, who had said prior to 2007 Fianna Fáil members undertook polling while pretending to be market researchers. “To be honest I don’t think that’s correct,” Mr [Bertie] Ahern said.
Leo Varadkar campaign used students as fake pollsters in 2011 Dáil re-election bid (Independent.ie)
Leo Varadkar has told his Instagram followers that it is “impossible to say at this stage” when nightclubs will reopen but that it will “hopefully” be August or September pic.twitter.com/3VH0nzL9B6
— Hugh O’Connell (@oconnellhugh) June 1, 2021
This afternoon.
Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar shares with his Instagram ‘followers’ his vague hopes for a reopening of clubs by late Summer.
If you want a vision of the future, imagine boots not stamping on a dance floor – forever.
Earlier: Recoverability
Thanks Bebe
This afternoon.
Government Buildings.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar launched an updated ‘Work Safely Protocol’ to ‘assist employers in reopening safely’.
He confirmed that vaccination will remain voluntary.
Via RTÉ News:
He said the protocol will guide employers on how to manage unvaccinated workers.
Today’s document incorporates the latest public health advice, and contains guidelines on antigen testing, vaccinations and ventilation to assist employers in reopening the economy while keeping workers and customers safe.
Meanwhile..
Mr Varadkar said they now had a “Government-endorsed” report on antigen testing, and acknowledged that many employers were already using it.
“I am encouraging more to do so,” he added.
Vaccinations to remain voluntary as workplaces reopen – Tánaiste (RTÉ)
Meanwhile…
CMO Dr Tony Holohan says NPHET strongly recommends against the public buying and using antigen tests. pic.twitter.com/RLKDlOzg39
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 14, 2021
Um.
Anyone?
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar at Dublin castle yesterday
This morning.
Dermot & Dave show on Today FM.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said:
“We expect there may be 10 to 15 per cent of people who will refuse the vaccine and just don’t want it, although, they may change their minds if the ability to travel and attend mass events is linked to it…
“…What we really need for this to work fully is to get about 80 per cent of people vaccinated, that’s where you start to hit herd immunity, where the virus just doesn’t have anywhere to go.”
This morning
Those who refuse an offer of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine will go to the back of the queue , according to the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
The rollout of the AstraZeneca jab has been restricted to people over the age of 60 because of concerns about a blood clotting side effect in younger people.
Via Irish Times:
Asked what would happed to people who refuse the AstraZeneca vaccine, he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland “they will have to wait until the end”.
People who refuse AstraZeneca vaccine will go to back of queue, says Varadkar (Irish Times)
Yesterday.
In a video posted to Facebook Taoiseach Tanaiste leo Varadakar said the Government would introduce:
“Additional measures for the fully vaccinated, more freedoms for those who have been vaccinated.”
He added:
“We are developing a digital green certificate vaccine pass, so you’ll be able to prove that you’re fully vaccinated.”
Meanwhile…
There are huge difficulties with potential discrimination on the basis of vaccine, especially when severe shortages apply. Speculation by Tánaiste on social media is irresponsible. Vaccinated will be offered additional freedoms, says Varadkar https://t.co/s34UBxf4Kb
— Liam Herrick (@liamherrick) April 6, 2021
Additional freedoms for the fully vaccinated on the way, says Leo Varadkar (Irish Examiner)
This afternoon.
Further to the Irish Examiner‘s exclusive this morning…
…revealing documents released to Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty (above questioning the Tanaiste last November) show that Mr Varadkar sought to have a hard copy of the GP pay deal between the Government and the irish medical organisation (IMO) waiting for him as he emerged from the Government jet around the same time he was looking for IMO boss Maitiú Ó Tuathail’s home address.
Deputy Doherty said:
“This shows the extreme lengths that he went to in order to leak a confidential document to his friend. Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that he sought this document for his personal use, but these revelations show that he was making arrangements to leak it before he even had it in his possession.”
Leo Varadkar is facing calls to resign over the criminal investigation into his leak of a private document https://t.co/sS73652ge0
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) March 25, 2021
Violet-Anne Wynne, Sinn Féin TD for Clare
Violet-Anne Wynne has released a statement stating that the Tanaiste should withdraw and apologise for remarks he made on RTÉ radio earlier today, noting that she is a Protestant, after Leo Varadkar said the party had no Protestant TDs. pic.twitter.com/yD7EMmt4rN
— aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) March 10, 2021
I was not aware of that. I stand corrected.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 10, 2021
That’ll learn him.
Probably not.
