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SOCIAL PROTECTION MINSTER Leo Varadkar has said the media should not try “to embarrass” the Taoiseach when he is abroad by asking him questions about his leadership.
While on a trade trip to Canada last week, Enda Kenny was asked by the Irish Examiner newspaper when he will step down as Taoiseach.
Clearly unhappy with the question, he replied: “I can’t believe that you travelled this distance to ask a question like that.”
Today, Varadkar (potentially the next Taoiseach) was asked whether he agrees with Enda Kenny that the Taoiseach should not be asked about leadership issues while on a foreign trade mission.
He said:
I think when somebody is representing the country abroad, particularly when they have a prime minister of another country or the president of another country standing beside them – as a country – we really shouldn’t be trying to embarrass them. We should be asking questions relevant to their visit… But at the same time I think you can allow for that by agreeing separately to take the questions on domestic issues.
Leadership
“I agree with the Taoiseach, but I also think ministers shouldn’t be asked about it domestically, because we are always asked about it whether we raise it as an issue or not,” he continued.
Varadkar went on to say that he has never travelled abroad with the media pack, and does not have much experience of how it works.
I don’t have much experience of this, but the practice, as I understand it, is generally if somebody is overseas they will agree to do a domestic briefing, on other issues, and on that basis when somebody is abroad or outside of the country they are not asked about domestic issues.
Poll results
The latest poll (carried out by RTÉ’s Martina Fitzgerald) indicates that Varadkar is ahead of his probable running mate, Housing Minister Simon Coveney in the Fine Gael leadership battle.
Varadkar said the polls indicating he is ahead in the race are “encouraging”.
While the contest rumbles on behind the scenes, party members await to hear from the Taoiseach as to when he is stepping down.
Questions about his leadership revved up after he said he would make his position known following the St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington. But that trip has obviously come and gone.
He also said he’d stay on to see through talks in the North and the start of Brexit negotiations (which have now both been delayed because of the election in the UK).
Kenny has said he will inform Fine Gael deputies before telling the Dáil, and there is widespread speculation that he could do this at next week’s parliamentary party meeting.
While there is a meeting tomorrow night, he is not expected to overshadow the visit of European Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair this week, by announcing his resignation.
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Tough s**t. He should be questioned about it no matter where he is. Considering he’s the head of government why shouldn’t we be questioning him?
@tae: because what it the point of asking the same one question every time you get a chance it is lazy journalism when there are opportunities to shine a light on lots of positive and negative issues which are being or could be effected by the Taoiseach’s office
@tae: usually politicians wouldn’t be asked or address national issues when on state visits abroad.
O wrap de green jersey round me bys don’t hit me wid de tricolour in me arms shoot if ya must dis dyed blonde head but spare my party’s blushes he said.
What a load of donkey’s. Did you go all that distance to tell us lies Taoiseach?
@Anthony Horan: Well Anthony perhaps if Enda answered the question he wouldn’t keep getting asked it?
@Anthony Horan: I think it’s bad form asking him was he’s abroad like that, keep that at home, like or not, he is representing the country at trade missions ,
@Trevor Connolly: He finds it tough to answer straight forward questions at home too.
@Trevor Connolly: hilarious attitude we seem to have. Don’t dare embarrass me in front of the neighbours. Sweep all the domestic stuff under the carpet and go full on begorrah and top of the morning. Even the article about the lack of water on inis meain was ‘oh my god, what will the tourists think of us?’ instead of worrying about the people who permanently live there not being able to shower. Presenting a respectable face to the outside takes precedence over everything.
@Marcus Philpott: Untrue. It happens all the time.
@tae: you just don’t get it do you? Its called cutting off your nose to spite your face.
@Anne Marie Devlin: suppose the official thinking is the locals can always go swim in the sea but we can’t charge the tourists for that. Yet.
It was a simple and honest question. It was a politically relevant question. The journalist was entitled to ask the question. It was fairly asked but not answered.
Politicians are not just accountable at election time. Democracy does not start and finish at election time.
@Tony Daly: and every question should be answered? Kenny made the journo look like a fool. All me mates asked me to ask it and him to justify his trip abroad.
@lavbeer: on the contrary, Kenny looked shifty, evasive and dishonest.
@Tony Daly:
The people of Cork have a right to know.
@Tony Daly: he is a politician! I didn’t see the live footage but let’s face it was bread and butter to him.
@lavbeer: It’s his bread and butter to not answer straight forward questions it would seem.
@Tony Daly: Does he ever look any other way?
In other words ask only a question he has an answer for or one he is willing to answer!!, sounds about right…..
@Kate Flaherty: Or able to answer….
The Terry Prone school of “truthiness”.
Eh that’s not how a democracy works Leo. He blatantly lied to the public. Then said he would be going. It’s now May and he’s still not gone. The media have the right to ask him that question until they get an answer.
@Deborah Behan:
Yes they have the right to but should we not be a little above mud slinging on a global platform?
@Deborah Behan: where did he say he was going by any date? Any links? I bet not. This country really needs to start dealing in facts and not speculation.
@lavbeer: I don’t think Enda would recognise a fact if it stood up and hit him. Also in fairness the journalist was trying to establish a fact by asking Enda when he will leave……
@Deborah Behan: agreed. Had he addressed the issue thoroughly following his St Patrick’s day jolly then the question would not have been asked.
@Kerry Blake: so can you provide a link or just throwing out mob mentality remarks.
@lavbeer: April here….
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/enda-kenny-says-he-will-remain-as-taoiseach-until-at-least-the-end-of-april-35551780.html
Leo’s in the papers a lot lately.
@Jack Cassady:
He can’t keep his trap shut.
He Never could.
@Jack Cassady: he’s the papers golden child, I wonder why?
@Alan Cooke: minister for everything competent in none
@Marcus Philpott:
The liberal luvvies see him as Ireland’s Trudeau.
@Alan Cooke:
He’s not very good with the truth as witnessed when questioned on his 6400 euro photo shoot at the taxpayers expense.
I can see Leo’s setting himself up to rule in the same vein as Trump. Already challenging the freedom of the press
Normal journalistic practice – worldwide – until the decision is made. Tough.
@Fank Pulman: it’s actually not normal journalistic practice.
Leo doesn’t like people haranguing Enda about when he’s going to quit.
That’s Leo’s job.
If he’d answered the question in Ireland he wouldn’t have been asked. Instead he lies and pushes it out further for his own benefit.
I see no problem with him being asked tough questions abroad. We often see it with other World Leaders when abroad.
@Séamus Longshanks: and was he asked any tough questions? No. Canada trade agreement? Will mental health services be prioritised if Leo if elected? How much will it cost in additional pension payments if he steps down now? Why is he picking up 100k for 4 years of teaching?
No. red top standard and then he has to make a story of nothing to justify the cash his employer spent. all self interest.
@lavbeer: good point.
Enda was embarrassed? Sure he embarrasses this country on a daily bases. Must be a novel situation for him to be in……
If the journalists of the united states can ask their president awkward question s in front of the media why cant we ?when your out front your always going to be a target so get over it enda .In office leo i am sure will show all the bottled he showed when he was health minister ,lolol
@Anthony Gallagher:
I think you answered your own question there. We, well at least me, do not want to turn our media and politicians into what is happening in America
Ooh that’s right! Keep those uppity peasants in their place, can’t have them embarrassing their betters! Is that the game plan? Actually crawling around the so called “Elites” is exactly what got us into this mess! Therefore it is incumbent on us to challenge them and ask those tough questions at every opportunity! When they decide to have their Sham fight for the leadership they will be demanding wall to wall TV coverage, while they dance their way through a carefully choreographed script which will exonerate FG of any responsibility for the austerity impacts! The outcome is already decided Leo! Simon gets to wear the crown, so can we have our #GE2017 soonest? Always remember and never forget those who wish to steal your children’s water! Not a single transfer not even 10th choice! Phil Hogan scrapped in on the 13 count and Alan Kelly on the last!
What do they mean try not to embarrass him – he is one – a laughing stock at this stage. They know he’s going do just go for God’s sake…
Question them wherever they are.
In fairness all Kenny has to do is look at himself in the mirror to see an embarrassment.
It shouldn’t be asked based on location. It should be asked based on performance, regardless of where he is!
I wonder who will go first, Enda Kenny or Arsene Wenger?
Its a hard one to call.
@Each Way Thief: nice comparison and yes a very tough one to call. I suspect if you contacted Paddy Power they would publish that bet, it’s exactly the type of humour they like
In a couple of years he’ll be bald and the new Michael Noonan don’t say I didn’t warn yis’s
Leo you are way too sensitive, can’t you see from the guy’s record of lying that he is incapable of being embarrassed. Leo I’m no expert when it comes to leadership races, but as sure as hell being Mr. nice guy to ek is not going to get you brownie points.
Kenny is a very unpopular leaser and his pointed evasion of these questions is proof he was lying when he said he would step down at all. The fact that he is being repeatedly asked at home and abroad only highlights his lack of integrity. His refusal to answer seals his image of cowardice and utter contempt for the people he claims to serve. And those lining up to replace him are far too focused on their own careers to face their current roles and responsibilities. Ireland is on a knife edge. Brexit looms large. Homelessness is growing rapidly. Hospitals overcrowded to banana republic levels. While our fearless leader dodges every opportunity to answer a simple question: when are you going to step down.
@James Elford: *leader
Leo never shuts up, always moaning. Does he do any work?
I don’t like Edna one but I actually agree with him on this. We should show dignity when travelling. The last thing we want to do is end up like the US. There are always plenty of opportunities to stick the knife in when at home
@Nick Allen:
Agree with Leo not Enda
@Nick Allen: Really? He’s been asked plenty of times about his leaving date in Ireland. Typically he can not answer the question.
@Kerry Blake:
I agree about him leaving and I wish he would hurry up and go but I think from an Ireland reputation perspective I would prefer these questions to be kept to home soil. Enda, as much of a twit as he is, is representing our country in Canada. I don’t see the merit is putting our dirty laundry across Canadian media
@Kerry Blake: he is democratically elected for another 3.5 years – do you take interest in all internal FG issues?
@lavbeer: Yes when the decision may affect me as an Irish citizen. Do you not as a thinking person?
@Kerry Blake: how will it? I do think. Tell me how it might impact you?
@lavbeer: Because if I had voted FG under Enda’s leadership and he resigns then there will be a leader in place after the party vote who I as an Irish citizen did not vote for…..
@Kerry Blake: Kerry you have been a sinn fein troll for years here so stop suggesting you voted for enda! Sinn fein overwhelmingly lost the last election remember??
@Ruairi McDonnell: She didn’t say she voted for Enda?? And you have the gall to call her a troll ha ha.
The ex useless Minister for Health speaks about a useless leadership contest between two failures appropriately enough.Ireland with two civil war parties each one the same as the other. I’m sure Donald Trump cares if Tweedeldum or Tweedeldumber represents Oirland.
@John Dillon: long as the warbirds and torture jets keep flying in and out unmolested by the Law of Ireland’s broken and not-so-long arm he doesn’t. He’s even bought a golf course and hotel near SNN City to keep an eye on his permanently moored little green aircraft carrier and the worthy damp anoraks running their protests near the chainlink. Wonder if he happned to be visiting and they did try to get over would he make like the Canadian Ambassador in Glasnevin that time?
Leo likes Trumps style!!
@Rory: Anti Gay?
Idiot
So Leo the Liar thinks it’s “embarrassing” to ask his fraudulent party’s disingenuous leader about when he’s stepping aside for Leo himself to take over the same agenda? Is it ok to ask about the negative ramifications of CETA or how it will adversely affect the economic future of the electorate that he’s so quick to mislead?
He should be questioned everyday all day because he’s an imbecile who can’t answer a question.
@robert lester: what’s the point if he can’t answer the question.
Will he not just feck off. Muppet
There is something squalid about grilling Enda about his exit while abroad but Enda’s response was very petulant. Who does he think he is? God’s gift to Ireland? Can understand the journalist’s exasperation. Kenny is hanging on like a root.
Varadkar has lost the plot.. of course the pric. is questionable
Leave my Enda alone
Would an exorcism help get rid of Enda???
LV is such an ass clown
He shouldnt be asked about anything ever firstly cos he has hasnt 2 brain cells( maybe what hes had for his brekky but thats the height of it ) & secondly theres a lot to hide we can assume this will be Leo s policy in future also
As that is like to a holiday???
have your say