Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LEO VARADKAR SAYS he does not mind being “slapped down or scolded” having been on the receiving end of a rebuke from Taoiseach Enda Kenny in recent days.
Kenny has made a number of public statements on Varadkar in the wake of the Health Minister’s suggestion on Monday that tax changes in the Budget might mean “a fiver a tenner in your payslip every week”.
The remarks have earned Varadkar what has been viewed as a ‘slapping down’ from Kenny in the days leading up to the Fine Gael ‘think-in’ which is taking place at Fota Island in Cork today and tomorrow.
Speaking at Fota today, Kenny said: ”I think the Minister clarified his remarks about figures being mentioned in the Budget. The Cabinet have not made collective decisions about any of the detail in the Budget yet.”
A short time later Varadkar told reporters at the Cork resort: “I don’t mind being slapped down or scolded.
I’m a big boy and I am willing to take a degree of criticism from time to time. But at the same time this isn’t about me, it’s not about my dignity, it’s not about my ego.
“It’s about frontline staff and it’s about patients and it’s about our health services which affect all of us and I think everyone in government needs to get behind our health services.”
Varadkar said that that the Taoiseach had been “very clear that he doesn’t want ministers to be speculating about the details of the Budget and he’s totally right about that”.
However he insisted that as Minister for Health he has “a responsibility to defend health services”.
“I’m going to continue to do that and as well as that I’m very committed to health sector reform. But that has to happen in a way that is workable and deliverable and I think the Taoiseach understands that very well,” Varadkar added.
On Kenny’s criticisms of ‘Sir Humphreys’ in the Department of Health Varadkar said of the briefing document he received on health reforms was “very good”.
“It’s certainly worth a read for anyone who wants to read it,” he added.
Also speaking at Fota today, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said he has spoken to Leo Varadkar, describing him as “a good minister and a very good communicator”.
He said that the “fiver or tenner” remarks that have caused controversy were “illustrative rather than any prediction of what might be in the Budget”.
Ministers arriving at Fota this afternoon have sought to play down suggestions of a row between Kenny and Varadkar.
Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said he did not have “any evidence of anybody slapping down”.
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the matter had been “blown out of proportion” and added: “I don’t think there is any serious tension there.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Aggravated burglary? The man was known to his attackers!
@páraicS: that’s not a good defence.
@páraicS: glad the gardai ard on it
@John Considine: My point is it wasn’t a burglary. They went there with the intention of attacking the man In question. What they did is abhorrent but burglary it wasn’t!
@páraicS: look up burglary in the law will before commenting
@páraicS: it definitely was a burglary. You need to look up the definition
Dragging somebody out of bed and dousing them in petrol is attempted murder. How can it be aggravated burglary when nothing was stolen?
@Paul O’Sullivan: that’s not what burglary is. Look up the definition
@superdooper: a man was doused in petrol and set alight. Aggravated Burglary should be the least of their worries, Greivious Bodily Harm at least if not attempted murder , I think the maximum sentence should apply here if found guilty.
@Paul O’Sullivan: enter as trespassers wih intent to commit an arrestable offence.. dont have to steal anything.
@Martin Gordon: We know that they entered the premises and did commit an arrestable offence…. attacking a man with a machete and an exhaust pipe then dousing him in petrol setting him alight..
Why are you defending these scxm ?? Say what it is ….
@Paul O’Sullivan: it’s an aggravated burglary
@Paul O’Sullivan: I’m not defending. it is what it is. it is also attempted murder. I’m not saying it isn’t that. the attempted murder is the arrestable offence in the burglary. look up aggravated burglary. educate yourself.
@Martin Gordon: idiot
@Paul O’Sullivan: thank god you dont work for the Dpp
The whole sentencing system should be reformed. Longer sentences for crimes. Life for murder should be life.
There was a time when you saw a garda it meant something. Now there is no fear. Two garda shot at during week. Thats atemted murder.
@Dave Barrett: the sentencing and grammar systems by some commenters on here
leave a lot to be desired.
@WreckDefier: Can we get a job like yours. always wanted to be in the grammar and spelling police. Ops! I forgot the I before always.
@Dave Barrett: In fairness it’s hard to miss atemted which murdered attempted
Share the info you have with the gardai so.
THERE IS NO REAL PUNISHMENT FOR aggravated burglary.
@Michael Bannon: maximum sentence 14 years
@Michael Bannon: if they are caught they will be charged with more than aggravated burglary, like assault causing serious harm etc..
@Paul O’Sullivan: maximum sentence for aggravated burglary is life. not 14 years. just another thing you’re wrong about.
@Michael Bannon: life sentence Michael.. literally the maximum sentence punishment there is. back to law school for you.
@Martin Gordon: really Mr Gordon the vile piece of filth that ended my mum’s life in 02 is getting out soon and has been out on 2 day releases
My mum will never have a day release.
@Jason Quinn: sorry to hear that. I’m just stating facts to people who are putting up wrong facts. unfortunately our justice system is very flawed. and life does not mean life.
I know people are saying these guys were at their wits end but this was a barbaric attack. To go back out and get the petrol is controlled. That’s not just losing the head.
Think these 2 guys voluntarily made statements to the guards a few weeks ago.
He deserved a lot more that a drop of petrol for what he did.
Aggravated Buggary
@Anna69: anna.. Men are wrong and misspelling words on the internet.. We’ve no time for your sexy shenanigans
have your say