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Tánaiste Leo Varadkar (file photo) Julien Behal Photography

'I urge you to use common sense': Praise and criticism in public's emails to Leo during start of lockdown

Correspondence sent to Varadkar shows how the public reacted to the crisis in its initial weeks.

ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, employment issues and the speed of the government’s response were among the concerns raised with the Taoiseach by members of the public during the first weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Correspondence sent to the office of Leo Varadkar, seen by TheJournal.ie, reveals how ordinary individuals reacted to the health crisis as a nationwide shutdown took hold.

Emails to the then-Taoiseach included calls to close the country’s borders, a request for stronger messaging about coughing and sneezing on public transport, and a demand to stop allowing the US military to use Shannon Airport.

A sample of emails, released under the Freedom of Information Act, also shows that some people contacted Varadkar to praise the government for its handling of the crisis.

However, a significant number revealed the wide range of worries felt by ordinary citizens during the shutdown earlier this year.

Initial emails in early March expressed concerns that the government was not doing enough to respond to the threat of Covid-19.

“The secrecy with which the HSE has dealt with the coronavirus is mind-boggling,” one person wrote on 2 March, three days after the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Ireland.

“Their approach against the openness in Singapore shows how little understanding they have of the public and their contempt for the public.”

Days later, on 6 March, healthcare workers returning from high risk areas were told not to go to work and nursing homes sought to ban visitors.

But the same day, another person wondered if the government was still too slow to respond to some issues.

“I am urging you to use common sense to cancel Italian flights coming in this week and to postpone Paddy’s Day celebrations,” they said, a day before the by-then cancelled Six Nations game between Ireland and Italy was scheduled to take place.

“Anyone who contracts this due to lack of actions will have this government to blame. We cannot use a ‘wait and see approach’.”

On 10 March, when total the number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland passed 30, there were increasing concerns about the spread of the virus in the community.

But no formal decisions to close down the country had been made by the government, and the Department of Education was still saying that it wouldn’t be ordering primary and secondary schools to close.

That day, another person questioned the speed at which the government was acting, saying:

This government is continually waiting too long to make the decisions it needs to make. The country wants you to shut it down. We need to stop flights. This needs drastic measures. The Government needs to lead!
The first recorded death related to Covid-19 was confirmed the following day, while the day after that, the Taoiseach told the public that schools, colleges and childcare facilities would shut until 29 March

Employment difficulties

As case numbers rose and the country shut down in the weeks that followed, the public’s concerns – as expressed to Varadkar’s office – became more specific.

Many people expressed concerns about money, or a lack of opportunities to work.

On 3 April, one person asked whether the weekly payment for lone parents could be increased by €50, following the introduction of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

“This is a hard time for everybody,” they said. “I know the country can’t afford it, but children need it.”

Later in the month, a Leaving Certificate student contacted Varadkar about how the decision to postpone the State exams until later in the summer would impact their employment opportunities.

“I had planned to get a job to provide for myself when in college. This plan is completely ruined now,” they said.

“The idea of having very little of my own money fills me with worry and dread for the college year ahead. I think it’s extremely unfair to have to rely on our parents for every cent we need.”

In May, one individual on the government’s Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme – who was set to go back to work in Phase Two – told the Taoiseach that they would likely have to leave their job because of their situation.

The person explained that their husband was an essential worker, and that they had no childcare options for their children, while their employer was not allowing them to take any parental or unpaid leave.

“I’m 17 years with the company, and I feel they are taking advantage,” they said.

“I will have no choice but to terminate my contract, leaving me with no income. I will not be allowed to sign on for nine weeks either. What am I meant to do?”

Not engaging with measures

Earlier in the crisis, some also contacted Varadkar to complain about how the general public were not engaging with measures to stop the virus from spreading. 

On 11 March, the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic and the the Taoiseach was less than 24 hours from giving his speech from Washington. 

But one individual wrote to express their “extreme concern and anxiety” about people coughing, yawning, sneezing and spitting on public transport.

“Clearly the Minister for Transport has done nothing to heighten the public’s awareness of the dangers of these careless habits,” the person said.

“I therefore appeal to the minister and his officials to please put in place public announcements at all Dart stations, and on the trains and buses, alerting people to the dangers of sneezing, coughing, yawning and spitting without covering their mouths.”

A few days later, another person contacted the Taoiseach to say that they felt that others were not adhering to two-metre social distancing guidelines.

In an email on 16 March, the individual suggested the government should close down all businesses except for food suppliers, pharmacies and petrol stations.

“I got abuse from someone on a WhatsApp school forum for saying that people shouldn’t be going on play dates and staying in their immediate family unit,” they said.

“This only works if everyone plays their part. From my experience, some people are taking it very seriously, others not.”

One week later, another “terrified” person also complained about groups gathering in public and called for a “full lockdown”.

“I have only left the house to go to do a grocery shop or pharmacy, and I can tell you now people are getting complacent,” they wrote on 23 March, the day before the government announced that all non-essential shops were to close.

“Kids are out playing in groups and teenagers in the street. People are congregating in the middle of pathways chatting.

“I know you didn’t want to take this authoritarian approach, but I think this is necessary and we will all understand it even though it will call everything to a halt. Best to get it over with now and get on with it than stagger this any longer.”

Government praised

However, a number of others got in touch with the Taoiseach’s office to praise how the government was managing the crisis.

On 13 March, a day after his speech in Washington, a member of the public praised Varadkar for “taking responsibility”.

“Thank God we have such a good and kind person taking charge. It really is reassuring to know you are at the helm,” they said.

Later that month, another person who claimed they were a Fianna Fáil voter said they were “hugely grateful” to the Taoiseach for how the situation was being handled.

“As the mother of a very vulnerable child you are not to underestimate my gratitude,” they wrote on 23 March.

“You put Boris Johnson and Donald Trump to shame. Keep doing what you’re doing!”

And another person suggested Varadkar had encouraged Irish society to respond to the pandemic in a way that brought out the best in people.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint and there will be loss, grief, financial implications,” they said.

“We will bounce back. The kindness, generosity, humour, dedication and decency is in people. Your decisive action, however, set the context that made it all more likely.”

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37 Comments
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Aug 18th 2020, 12:09 AM

    You have to give the man credit, for keeping himself in the spotlight.

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    Mute Hector Son
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    Aug 18th 2020, 12:21 AM

    @Logan Shepherd: these emails were released under the freedom of information act. I doubt Leo had much to do with it.

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    Mute Anna Kirby
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:29 AM

    @Logan Shepherd: ?

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    Mute Declan Crowley
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    Aug 18th 2020, 4:21 AM

    @Hector Son: ffin right his acolytes have .. make no mistake, must be the new public shoes he is wearing, lol !!

    36
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    Mute Bleurgh
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    Aug 18th 2020, 6:51 AM

    @Logan Shepherd: this is under freedom of information, anyone can send a request to a government dept for release of emails/ information on a subject, usually journalists use this

    28
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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:12 AM

    Anyone seen MM recently…???
    Me neither….!!!

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Aug 18th 2020, 8:50 AM

    @2thFairy: probably in West Cork somewhere. WHY? Is there something he should be doing. He has the title, happy camper, jobs oxo, nice pension.

    34
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    Mute Padraig Carey
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    Aug 18th 2020, 12:47 AM

    I really disliked the man pre the crisis. But could see myself voting for him now, he kept cash flowing and took safe measures. I don’t feel as safe now actually I am rather anxious between schools opening cash drained from the economy, and government doing very little for anyone.

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    Mute P Quinn
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:57 AM

    @Padraig Carey: I disliked him before the covid crisis, I absolutely loathe him since. The reason being that he revealed himself to be driven by his own self-promototion. The CMO and the medical professionals advised the government, they deserve the praise. Leo spun their advice to serve his image delivered with clichéd speeches (which he didn’t write), photo ops, and avoiding tough questions. People fell for it all too easily. He took us into phase 3 too soon to be seen as the hero. This man’s ideology would destroy the country if he ever had a majority.

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    Mute biggybald
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    Aug 18th 2020, 2:00 AM

    @P Quinn: And who do you think would have done it better?

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Aug 18th 2020, 2:17 AM

    @biggybald: Well Leo mismanaged it from the beginning so I would assume there are numerous individuals not fussed about photo ops and ego who are smarter and could see the bigger picture who would have steered us on a better course. Leo is like Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

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    Mute Mary Nugent
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    Aug 18th 2020, 3:11 AM

    @Frank Cauldhame: A few cans in the park sussing out the Aras before Enda of Bertie.

    37
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    Mute biggybald
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    Aug 18th 2020, 3:37 AM

    @Frank Cauldhame: Based on your assumption would you like to share a name or two?

    32
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    Mute Kavsie
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    Aug 18th 2020, 6:28 AM

    @P Quinn: well put,
    his Ego is unmeasurable, he knew the lockdown was to be announced,yet, he left for Washington
    the only leader of any country who announced his countries lockdown from another country
    that was the moment he should have been dumped out of politics!

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    Mute gary mullen
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    Aug 18th 2020, 10:33 AM

    @biggybald: my 4 year old nephew would have gone it better. My nephew has common sense.

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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Aug 18th 2020, 3:55 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: how so…??? Exactly how did he mismanage the global pandemic..??

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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Aug 18th 2020, 3:56 PM

    @gary mullen: statements like yours prove you have no basis for your criticism.

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Aug 18th 2020, 6:46 PM

    @2thFairy:

    I’ll keep this short and simple, just for you :

    Nursing homes
    Meat processing plants
    Incoming international tourist travel

    Anything else you need explaining?

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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Aug 18th 2020, 11:39 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: you explained nothing. You think a list is an answer. It has been proved that Nursing homes were not following proper protocols which allowed the virus spread much quicker than it should have done. I blame the employers here. If you Covid test in any meat processing plant or any other food supply establishments I guarantee you there will be at least an 80% positive result. These workers have been working throughout the pandemic. They are frontline workers. They work and for the most part travel and live together. I blame the employers here. International travellers should also be held responsible for their actions if their travel was nonessential.
    When government tell you how to behave you are aghast. When government don’t tell you how to behave you are equally aghast.

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    Mute Ernie Gallagher
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    Aug 18th 2020, 3:00 AM

    Is he just bored on the six weeks off? Feels like we’ve heard more from him the last two weeks than the previous six months he was in charge.

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    Mute longstrides
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:44 AM

    Pity no-one emailed him to not do a deal with treasonous Micheál Martin who brought disgrace on our nation with loss of economic sovereignty and arrival of Troika. In prison he, (MM), should be.

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    Mute gary mullen
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    Aug 18th 2020, 12:38 AM

    Emails falling on blind eyes as words still fall on deaf ears ……and the worst is yet to come!

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    Mute Bleurgh
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    Aug 18th 2020, 6:53 AM

    @gary mullen: he doesn’t read emails…it’s admin staff who do and respond on his behalf

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    Mute gary mullen
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    Aug 18th 2020, 10:36 AM

    @Bleurgh: like I said emails falling on blind eyes, words on deaf ears, the government is not listening to the people and from what your claiming the government don’t even see or hear about these emails

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    Mute Wiggy Wigsters Fitness
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    Aug 18th 2020, 7:04 AM

    Me me me me

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    Mute James Reilly
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    Aug 18th 2020, 2:46 AM

    Vile being ….

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    Mute Uncle Bobby
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:40 AM

    How is this clown still in government?

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    Mute biggybald
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    Aug 18th 2020, 2:05 AM

    @Uncle Bobby: Because the alternative is a “clown alley”.

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    Mute longstrides
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:40 AM

    Did anyone email him to not do a deal with treasonous Micheál Martin, who brought disgrace on our nation with loss of our economic sovereignty and arrival of Troika?

    57
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    Mute Barty
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    Aug 18th 2020, 6:46 AM

    SF gone of the radar all together, where is the opposition when you need them. I’m afraid just like the rest of them all mouth and no action, country needs reassuring at the moment the seemingly endless amount of cash being handed out is mind boggling. Government both last and present gambling that schools will open in September no matter what, looking like this gamble has backfired.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Aug 18th 2020, 7:30 AM

    @Barty: SF and the other parties in opposition were doing just fine before the dail broke up for the 6 week holiday.

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    Mute Bernard Sweeney
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    Aug 18th 2020, 1:47 AM

    Imagine the Journal not allowing comments on the Jam Master Jay story. Lol.

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    Mute Pete Gilmartin
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    Aug 18th 2020, 3:14 AM

    @Bernard Sweeney: Standard procedure to close comments relating to an ongoing investigation.

    16
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    Mute ed o brien
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    Aug 18th 2020, 10:59 AM

    No mention of the nursing homes in the article.
    Funny that!!!

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    Mute Pl Ster
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    Aug 18th 2020, 12:45 AM

    @Logan Shepherd
    Do I detect a bit of jealousy !!

    20
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Aug 18th 2020, 5:48 AM

    @Pl Ster: Of being in the spotlight .. no … Of his boyish good looks and money .. ahh yeah ….

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    Mute Tony Kennedy
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    Aug 18th 2020, 4:57 PM

    No mention of 600,000 waiting for hospital appointments

    6
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