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Kathleen Lynch and Leo Varadkar at a press conference (File photo) RollingNews.ie

'So obsessed with publicity': Outgoing Labour minister's parting shot at Leo

Kathleen Lynch has given a revealing interview in which she criticises the Health Minister.

OUTGOING JUNIOR HEALTH Minister Kathleen Lynch has criticised Leo Varadkar, appearing to accuse the Health Minister of being “so obsessed with publicity”.

The former Labour TD, who lost her seat in Cork North-Central last month, has given a revealing interview to the Irish Examiner in which she claims she nearly resigned over mental health funding at the last Budget.

Lynch has told the paper that the government was poised not to allocate any money to mental health in Budget 2016 until her threat to resign forced a backtrack with €35 million allocated.

In the same interview, Lynch said that Varadkar’s predecessor as health minister, James Reilly, was the easiest to work with, saying: “He would give you credit — there was that kind of inert decency about him.”

When asked who she was comparing him to, Lynch said:

Compared to other ministers for health who are so obsessed with publicity.

Asked if she meant Leo Varadkar she said “compared to other ministers for health”. She was then asked to expand on her views of Varadkar, to which she responded:

I think we can often be blinded by the visual. He’s a very good communicator, he’s an excellent communicator.
He has a vision for the health service, he really has a vision for the health service, I’m just saying in comparison with James Reilly, James was far more likely to give you credit for all you had done. That’s really all that I’m saying.

Lynch remains the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, disability and older people until a new government is formed.

13/10/2015 Health Budgets Mark Stedman Mark Stedman

In the same interview she backed Brendan Howlin over Alan Kelly to succeed Joan Burton as Labour leader and said she has “no idea” why the party nominated Mairia Cahill for the Seanad.

Asked to respond to Lynch’s comments this morning, Varadkar insisted that he is “very fond of Kathleen”.

“I think she has done a very good job. I am devastated that she lost her seat and hope she stays involved,” he told TheJournal.ie

It’s the second time that Varadkar has come in for personal criticism from a former minister since the election.

Speaking to RTÉ earlier this month, Alan Shatter appeared to criticise his former cabinet colleague’s role in Fine Gael’s poor election:

Frances [Fitzgerald] would have been chairperson of the strategy committee; Leo [Varadkar] on – God help us – the communications committee, because the communications were a disaster.

Responding a few days later, Varadkar said that Shatter was being “charming as always”.

Read: Michael Healy-Rae says FG and FF are like a girl and a boy ‘wanting to go with each other’

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50 Comments
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    Mute Chuck Eastwood
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:19 AM

    Having not long ago become a parent to a child with some minor issues I for one have nothing but respect for you. generally after a long shift I try to take over when I get home because let’s face it, parenting is tougher than any outside job most of us have ever done and my partner needs a break more than I need to sit in front of the TV

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    Mute chris reilly
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:07 AM

    I spent a few years working with special needs children. Their parents are the most under supported carers in our society. Such a well written article, provides a very accurate picture of your busy life. Well done on every level. Be proud of the fantastic work you do for you’re children.

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    Mute Brid Reynolds
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    Jun 10th 2015, 2:00 PM

    Who the fluck down arrows that. Some people have privileged lives but they are too thick to realise it.

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    Mute Roberts of Dalkey
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    Jun 10th 2015, 1:58 PM

    Honestly written by an obviously committed and wonderful mother

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    Mute Karen Marten
    Favourite Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 2:05 PM

    Geraldine you are a great woman and i understand how you feel i have a son who is 14 with adhd and dyspraxia .i dont have the same problems as you but i have a toddler as well as a 9 year old who is dyslexic and has a rough year in school but unless anyone has a child/children with any issues they dont know what its like they cant be looking down their noses and judgemental

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    Mute M. Ni Chuinn
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    Jun 10th 2015, 1:45 PM

    I admire you for writing your blog. I was a health care proffessional in Ireland. I recently moved abroad. I was totally shocked when I moved here to see how horrible and inhumane the Irish health care system is in comparison to other European countries. I truely believe all those who work in the healthcare system in Ireland including carers , family members and proffessions are being bullied by the Irish Government. When are we going to get up and fight and demand a better health system? Other countries have gotten better healthcare systems because they demanded it until their government had to give in. We are THE FIGHTING IRISH, aren’t we?

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    Mute cníchi
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    Jun 10th 2015, 2:38 PM

    You are a hero to humanity and your boys. I hope you too have a hero in your life who will look after you. You are wonderful, you are GERALDINE!

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    Mute john mccarthy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:14 AM

    Wrong article. My apologies.

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:15 AM

    let’s be honest john you commented without reading article…

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    Mute john mccarthy
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    Jun 10th 2015, 8:13 AM

    What ! A public servant moaning again. I’am shocked.

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:00 PM

    Allister being on call 24/7 witha child /children who have a disability or several and other children and housework and homework driving to and ftom appointments doctors schools .this is not the same as going into work where you get your tea break and chat with friends then your lunch break and afternoon coffee and home to a child that can walk talk feed themselves go to toilet on own kick a ball play out side .you just have no idea so dont make stupid remarks when you hsve no clue

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 3:10 PM

    What idiot red rhumbs these true stories

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    Mute Allister
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    Jun 10th 2015, 4:15 PM

    What about the people who have to come home at night and do all these house chores after working 12 hours a day in a proper job…deal with it …its called life…

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    Mute Noeleen Eccles
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    Jun 10th 2015, 4:45 PM

    Wow ‘House Chores’ Since when was a disabled child a House Chore? Do you get a lunch break? Carers work 24/7. Ignorance certainly is bliss.

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    Mute catherine
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    Jun 10th 2015, 7:46 PM

    Yeah that certainly is a very silly comment. This woman goes non stop. I know how it is. I’m proud she shared her story. We get no recognition. I did an interview with Pat Kenny too but it’s tough talking about our loved ones because it sounds like it’s all burden. We have good loving fun times too nut there is no getting Away from the realities of caring.

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    Mute Teresa Davis Maguire
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    Jun 12th 2015, 8:35 PM

    Allister did you not read the article?

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    Mute Josephine Gallagher
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    Jun 11th 2015, 1:56 AM

    Apart from my empathy and respect for Geraldine and her family, along with all others in similar situations as they live with the joys and challenges of their daily lives, one thing she said really stunned me..’I'm a full time carer for my son’ got the response ‘Wow so you’re on the social?’
    I hope the the campaign highlighting the work carers of all hues do all around this country brings to the fore how hard people work to look after and advocate for their children, partners, spouses, grandparents and neighbours when they can’t help themselves..and how little support from the authorities some of those carers get.
    And I sincerely hope that anyone who thinks that the carers allowance is a windfall never find themselves: a) needing it to survive; or b) going through the baring of soul it takes to get the carers allowance

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 10th 2015, 10:18 PM

    Allister you moron .going to work and comming home to a child/children who are able to walk tslk feed themselves blow their nose use the loo on their own play out side read write.many parents are carers to their children and some are on call 24/7 on top of house work and other children too children are born with these disabilities no parent wants that for their child /children hospital visits occupation therapy speech therapy more therapies i can list . Its not the same so unless you have a child with minor or major issues dont say its life u just have not got a clue

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    Mute Josephine Gallagher
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    Jun 11th 2015, 2:15 AM

    Oh!I just saw Allister’s comment on a scéal from mother describing caring for a child with a life limiting condition, a condition which most of us were unaware of until this week.( I certainly was until I heard her on radio.). along with her other two children .Allister refers to: house chores..proper job..it’s life..get on with it.
    Bless..I presume he do be very young and invincible

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    Mute Paul Clarke
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    Jun 15th 2015, 1:45 AM

    Well done to you on so many levels,I’d say you’re up to eyes right and regular so keep up the good work,enjoy you’re rest when your lucky enough to get 1

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