# Leo Varadkar
Yesterday
30th March 2023
# Equality
Taoiseach says trans people are 'no more threat than any other group in society'
The Taoiseach said today that transgender people are a “small minority” and that many are “very vulnerable people”.
This week
26th March 2023 - 31st March 2023
# eviction ban
Free Legal Advice Centre says Taoiseach's claims on evictions do not reflect 'legal reality'
The centre’s chief executive said that Varadkar’s comments implied that the Courts have a large say in whether a determination order will be enforced, in reality, they do not.
# military abuse
DF Chief of Staff: 'Perpetrators of abuse don't belong in our organisation and will be held to account'
A report published yesterday details a raft of structural failures in the organisation.
Last week
19th March 2023 - 25th March 2023
# security policy
Tánaiste Micheál Martin is ‘developing proposals’ around Ireland’s neutrality
Speaking at an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said stakeholders and the public will be consulted in a ‘meaningful way’.
# factcheck
Debunked: Leo Varadkar did not say that 'biological males' shouldn't be put in female prisons
In Scotland, non-violent prisoners may still be housed according to their gender expression.
# Agri Business
Govt transfers €150m in Brexit funding to post-Covid fund, to be spent in part on retrofitting
The Taoiseach said the Government “would have liked” to spend the money on businesses and the agricultural sector, but that it faced obstacles in doing so.
# Northern Ireland
Taoiseach is 'disappointed' with DUP's decision not to return to Stormont
Varadkar is in Brussels today for a meeting of EU leaders where the Windsor Framework will be discussed.
# Support
Taoiseach pledges 'continued support and solidarity' to Ukraine in phone call with Zelenskyy
The Ukrainian president thanked Ireland for its ongoing support of his country during the call.
# nostalgia for the future
Beneath green shamrocks and fluff of St Patrick's Day lies Ireland's soft power busy at work
Ireland sees cringeworthy flattery of the US as warranted if it achieves the end goal.
Last month
March 2023
# the joe show
Patrick's Day in the White House lacks pizzazz but Biden is serious about his mission to Ireland
Northern Ireland was a key focus as the US President met with all five party leaders.
# White House
Biden extols Windsor Framework and praises NI politicians for standing 'shoulder to shoulder' for peace
The US President and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar held an hour-long meeting this afternoon.
# feeling green
Taoiseach thanks VP Kamala Harris for LGBT advocacy during St. Patrick's Day breakfast in DC
The meeting and ceremony will round out several days of diplomacy and celebrations in the US and beyond for St Patrick’s week.
# Washington DC
Taoiseach apologises for 'ill-judged' intern comment at Washington Ireland event
Varadkar recalled his time as an intern in Washington in the last year of Bill Clinton’s Presidency.
# Immigration
UK immigration policy will impact Ireland, says Taoiseach
Speaking to reporters in Washington DC today, Varadkar said he will be speaking to the British government about the issue.
# St Patrick's Day
Niall Horan 'looking forward' to performing at the White House for St Patrick's Day
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be meeting with US President Joe Biden tomorrow.
# Washington DC
'The banks can't have it both ways': Varadkar says interest rates on savings should increase
The ECB increased its interest rates by 0.5% today.
# ireland funds dinner
Taoiseach recalls last trip to DC when he told an Irish nation it was going into lockdown
This year’s Ireland Funds dinner went off without a hitch this year.
# DUP
'Still more work to do' in addressing Windsor Framework concerns, Donaldson says
The DUP leader said the Brexit deal “does not deal with some of the fundamental problems” created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.
# Washington DC
Taoiseach says we've yet to turn the corner on the housing crisis, rules out reopening budget
Micheál Martin says a corner has been turned on housing.
# Washington DC
Varadkar: 'We'll roll out the red carpet for Joe Biden's visit to Ireland next month'
Taoiseach to attend $1,000 per plate gala dinner this evening.
Eamon Ryan touts 'green revolution' in China as he heads from Shanghai to Hong Kong
The Environment Minister is travelling to Hong Kong and Beijing this week for St Patrick’s Day.
# St Patrick's trips
Here's what Leo Varadkar, Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald will be up to in the US next week
Leo Varadkar will meet the US president in the White House on Friday.
# Dispute
'Unnecessary': Drew Harris criticises middle-ranking officers over plan to picket Garda HQ
Both Leo Varadkar and Commissioner Drew Harris were speaking at the opening of a new garda station in Dublin earlier today.
# Housing Crisis
Varadkar: Ministers 'agonised' over decision to end eviction ban
The Taoiseach admitted that ending the ban was “hard to defend”.
# Housing
Varadkar says he doesn't believe reimposing the eviction ban would reverse rising homeless numbers
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said the decision to end the ban was ‘cruel and heartless’.
# SPHE
President says schools should teach ‘sexuality in fullest sense’
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it ‘makes sense’ to teach kids about transgender people.
# Dáil row
'You can't handle the answers': Tempers flare as FG and SF clash over eviction ban
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald were involved in a war of words this afternoon.
# eviction ban
Varadkar: 'Demonisation' of landlords caused rent hikes and reduced housing supply
The Taoiseach said that over 40,000 landlords have left the rental market in recent years.
# trans education
Taoiseach: Ireland should avoid 'woke versus anti-woke' fight over education about trans people
Leo Varadkar said that Ireland should avoid the culture wars brewing in other countries.
# Thomas Francis Meagher
Taoiseach commemorates first flying of the tricolour 175 years ago at ceremony in Waterford
The Irish national flag was first flown at the Wolfe Tone Club in Waterford City by Thomas Francis Meagher.
# Pedro Sanchez
Windsor Framework and invasion of Ukraine on the agenda when Varadkar meets Spanish PM later
Leo Varadkar will brief Pedro Sanchez on the new agreement between the UK and the EU.
# Sinn Féin
Govt chief whip seeks Dáil time for McDonald and Doherty to answer questions about SF's financing
In the ‘spirit of transparency and accountability’ SF should make Dáil statements, says Naughton.
This year
2023
# drop the prices
Varadkar says windfall tax is coming and calls on energy companies to drop their prices
The Taoiseach says Government won’t just be using ‘politie encouragement’ to get prices down.
# Protocol
Varadkar: Talks over Northern Ireland Protocol ‘inching towards conclusion’
The Taoiseach warned, however, that there is still a ‘gap to be closed’ in the UK-EU talks.
# rental crisis
'Demonised' landlords should get tax breaks if linked to better renters' rights, says Varadkar
A number of bodys have recommended changes to the tax treatment of landlords.
# Refugees
'Any buildings we can get our hands on': Ministers to discuss refugee accommodation crisis
The Cabinet Committee on Ukraine will also discuss a new communications plan for communities.
# Redress
TD says Mother and Baby Home redress is 'madness', Varadkar accuses her of 'demonising' govt
Catherine Connolly clashed with the Taoiseach during Leaders’ Questions today.
# whoops
'Rookie error': Evictions ban proposal progresses as junior minister forgets to oppose bill
Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell forgot to oppose the bill at the end of the debate today.
# garda attacks
Taoiseach: 'National conversation needed on what's driving anger and violence in society'
Varadkar says we need to asked ourselves what has changed in our society in the last couple of years.
# Cost of Living
The government has announced a new cost-of-living package. Here's what's in it
The new cost-of-living measures were confirmed today.
A once-off €100 child benefit payment and a €200 lump sum for social welfare recipients will be paid out.
The State exam fees - for the Junior and Leaving Certificate - are again being waived.
The 9% VAT rate for hospitality and tourism will continue until 31 August.
