“Varadkar, the Opposition TD in Government” – Tóibín
Deputy Tóibín said: “For weeks now the Taoiseach has been urging us to adhere to public health advice. We have been assured by the government time and time again that all government decisions are based on scientific research and expert advice. Today we see what appears to be yet another solo run from the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar by way of interview with The Currency News. In the interview Deputy Varadkar suggests that it is his job, as a politician, to tell “the public health people” what they should be focusing on. Mr Varadkar was specifically addressing the fact that the government appears to be making decisions based on case numbers rather than hospital/ICU admission rates and death figures”.
Deputy Tóibín continued: “This is another internal coalition nightmare that the Taoiseach has to deal with this morning. There appears to be little to no cohesion between the government parties with mixed messaging, damage control and internal disputes the order of the day. A cabinet trying to play politics with backstabbing and contradictions is very worrying – at a time of global crisis with lives on the line we need leadership and maturity. We’re getting neither of these things from the Greens, Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael”.
“Varadkar is playing a similar role as that that when Enda Kenny was Taoiseach. He is now the Opposition TD in Government. Rather than positioning himself for a future election the country would be better served if Leo did his job in cabinet”.
“We in Aontú have for over 5 months called on the government to research the cost in terms of mortality, morbidity and damage to society and the economy of the severe restrictions and the closure of much the health service. Without this information the government are operating on the blind with no exit strategy. We must be cautious and careful around this significant threat to life. But we must learn to live with it. That’s not happening in large part due to government disfunction”.
