Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Saturday 2 December 2023 Dublin: 2°C

# Leo Varadkar

This week
26th November 2023 - 2nd December 2023
'Most important in years': Taoiseach heads to Dubai for COP28 climate change conference
Varadkar said Ireland in particular has a lot of opportunities when it comes to renewable energy.
Labour criticise Government and Commissioner for ‘completely inaccurate’ garda recruit figures
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday said between 700 and 800 new recruits are entering Templemore this year, but the figure to date is 633.
Israeli President says Ireland needs to 'admit the truth' about conflict in Gaza
Isaac Herzog asked: “What did we do wrong?”
Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd announces he will stand down after the next General Election
The Fine Gael TD for Louth and East Meath said he intends to continue advocating for improved care and supports for older people.
Irish ambassador 'surprised' at Israel's criticism over Taoiseach's Emily Hand statement
Ireland’s Ambassador to Israel Sonya McGuinness was summoned by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen after he condemned Leo Varadkar’s use of the word “lost” in relation to Emily.
Varadkar responds after Israel summons Irish ambassador over his ‘lost and found’ comment in Emily Hand statement
A clarification note under Varadkar’s tweets claims its misleading to use the terms “lost” and “found”.
'Broken but in one piece': Father of freed hostage Emily Hand is reunited with his daughter
President Michael D Higgins said he hopes Emily can now “enjoy a happy and fulfilling life”.
Last week
19th November 2023 - 2nd December 2023
'We're better than this': Taoiseach Leo Varadkar condemns violence in Dublin
“Those involved brought shame on Dublin, brought shame on Ireland.”
Women of Honour group hold 'frank' meeting with Tánaiste over inquiry terms
The group is calling for the terms of reference of the planned tribunal of inquiry into the Defence Forces to be expanded.
Workers prepared to pay price of keeping pension age at 66, says Varadkar
Sinn Fein accused the Government of disrespecting workers by not giving them the option of retiring and claiming the state pension at the age of 65.
PBP says Ireland has 'blood on our hands' as it tables motion calling for sanctions on Israel
Tabling a countermotion, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that getting rid of diplomatic channels would not have helped to get Irish citizens out of Gaza.
Varadkar: 'I’m not sure if the Israeli government listens to anyone anymore'
Taoiseach says Israel used to listen to the US, but he’s not sure that is the case anymore.
Taoiseach hears views of Arab and Islamic reps at meeting about Israel-Hamas war
Varadkar asked the Ambassadors for their governments’ continued assistance in securing the release of Emily Hand.
Varadkar: 'We can’t continue to aid Palestine and trade with Israel in the way we've done in the past'
‘That’s going to have to change in some way,’ Varadkar told the Dáil.
Shannon Airport not being used by US to facilitate Israel, Taoiseach says
Varadkar said there is a “double standard” in Europe and internationally when it comes to Israel’s actions in Gaza and Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Last month
November 2023
'Don't let the populists in': Warnings of left-wing Govt tax hikes at FG conference
There were big questions being asked at the FG conference as ministers said they’re fighting for re-election to government.
Varadkar says 'real possibility' Northern Ireland Executive can be restored by early next year
The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed last year when the DUP withdrew from powersharing in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Varadkar: 'If we want dangerous people locked up for a long time, we're going to need more prison spaces'
Taoiseach says government is examining giving judges more power around sentencing.
Fine Gael 'up for fighting' for a fourth term in government, says Coveney
In a rallying call to FG members, Coveney said next year will be a ‘watershed moment’ in Irish politics.
Taoiseach and ministers discuss recent increases in road deaths
The meeting comes as gardaí are due to receive data on motorists without insurance.
Politicians arguing in the Dáil and having a drink together after doesn't happen anymore, says Varadkar
Leo Varadkar says he has Mary Lou McDonald’s number and they often speak about Northern Ireland.
Expert group to examine the whole process around buying a house from bidding to probate
Leo Varadkar said some people are facing lots of delays buying a house.
'How many Palestinians have to be killed?' Pleas for end to Israeli bombardment at Paris conference
Varadkar told reporters: ‘We saw the strength of the EU when we came together on Ukraine, we haven’t come together in the same way.’
Varadkar on Braverman's NI 'hate march' comments: 'I'm not exactly sure what was meant'
Braverman said reports that organisers of an upcoming protest were linked to Hamas was “disturbingly reminiscent of Ulster”.
Failure to observe humanitarian law 'can’t be inconsequential', Varadkar tells conference on Gaza
The Palestinian Prime Minister is also in attendance and said: ‘How many Palestinians have to be killed before the war stops?’
Politicians suing newspapers and reporters 'designed to make journalists afraid' - Taoiseach
Varadkar says there are other ways to get redress and corrections such as going to the Press Council.
'We can't wait for Europe to get its act together': Taoiseach told Ireland must take action on Israel
A number of TDs urged Varadkar to follow up Ireland’s condemnation with strong actions.
Varadkar doesn't regret Israel 'revenge' remark amid attempts to get Irish citizens out of Gaza
The Taoiseach said the Government is doing its best to get around 40 Irish citizens out of Gaza.
Varadkar says Israel actions ‘more approaching revenge than self-defence’
He said Israel will not consider Ireland a close friend or ally because of its stance on Palestine.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to raise LGBT rights issues with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
Varadkar is also scheduled to also discuss security issues, peacekeeping and multilateralism with the South Korean leader.
No Irish citizens to be included in group of evacuees leaving Gaza for Egypt today
The crossing point will re-open today for foreign passport holders and wounded Palestinians.
Taoiseach and three ministers are off to South Korea to promote Irish beef and trade
Agri-food exports to Korea were valued at €75 million in 2022.
October
October 2023
Divided Europe: Ireland's voice at the EU table not loud enough to be heard this time around
Ireland had hoped for a stronger statement on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Varadkar says EU needs to double down on political, military and financial support for Ukraine
Yesterday, Slovakia announced that it was stopping military aid to the war-torn country.
Varadkar: Irish unity vote shouldn't require supermajority, but unionists must feel 'wanted'
The Taoiseach said work will have to be done to make Unionists in Northern Ireland feel ‘welcome’.
Varadkar fears if EU reaches position to call for ceasefire it will be 'after a lot more people have died'
Taoiseach says in some ways he hopes the EU will not have to call for a ceasefire as it will probably mean that things have escalated in the region.
EU leaders call for 'corridors and pauses' for Gaza, but fall short of demanding a 'ceasefire'
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would push for a humanitarian ceasefire to be called.
EU leaders were in talks for hours but ultimately called for a 'pause' rather than using the word 'ceasefire' in its statement.
Leo Varadkar said earlier there as a need to 'compromise'.
The talks between the 27 EU leaders will continue tomorrow
Hamas releases list of 7,000 names of Gazans killed since 7 October, as Biden rejects estimates
'I don't plan on raising it again': Varadkar rules out speaking to von der Leyen about Israel comments at EPP summit
Taoiseach: 'It makes sense for Ireland to align Ukrainian supports with other EU countries'
Varadkar says Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys is currently assessing social welfare reforms.
Taoiseach says new Government jet is 'not just for ministers'
The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste both had their travel plans disrupted this week because of issues with the current government jet.
'I don't plan on raising it again': Varadkar rules out speaking to von der Leyen about Israel comments at EPP summit
A report by
Christina Finn
Varadkar says peace may seem unrealistic now, but from Ireland’s history we know peace is possible.