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TÁNAISTE LEO VARADKAR has defended his and Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s attendance at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, telling the Dáil that he stayed “in a four star hotel” for the duration.
During Leaders’ Questions today, People Before Profit TD Mick Barry enquired about the cost of the trip and and joked that it was unlikely that Varadkar had “slept in a car”, a reference to reports of TDs sleeping in cars due to a lack of hotel rooms in Dublin
Both Martin and Varadkar attended the summit in the Swiss alpine resort this week, which has returned following a two-year Covid-enforced hiatus.
Martin spoke at a panel event alongside fellow EU leaders and Varadkar also spoke at an event about the future of work. Both also conducted media interviews with international outlets.
Earlier this week, People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy TD said it was “questionable” whether it was required for both Taoiseach and Tánaiste to attend.
Today, Barry went further and enquired Varadkar’s accommodation arrangements during the summit:
So you’re back from the luxury ski resort. I’m sure you didn’t do a Eugene Murphy and sleep in the back of a car. I’m curious to know how much the rooms cost in Davos this year? And what was the all in price of the trip?
The Cork North Central TD also asked the Tánaiste whether an increase in the minimum wage would be appropriate to help people deal with the rising cost of living.
Responding to the question about Davos, Varadkar responded that the attendance of both leaders at the summit was an important opportunity for the country and he added that he “flew commercial” to the event:
I spent Monday and Tuesday in Davos representing the country at the World Economic Forum, I was happy to do so. The Taoiseach is there now. I think it’s important that we are represented, it gives us an opportunity to tell our story, whether it’s in relation to the Protocol, whether it’s in relation to what’s happening in Northern Ireland, whether it’s in relation to our own economy.
He added: “I flew commercial and stayed in a four star hotel and no doubt, they charged for it, but it was nonetheless a four star hotel and a commercial flight.”
Varadkar was also asked during Leader’s Questions about the decision of Paypal to cut over 300 jobs from its operations in Dundalk and in his constituency in Dublin.
Varadkar said it was a matter “of great regret” that Paypal had made the decision but that he had spoken to the company and was told that it “remains committed” to the remainder of its 2,000 employees in Ireland.
“I have received an assurance from the company that the redundancy package that they offer will be a good one. I don’t know the details of that yet but I will be following up on that matter because I think it is important that if there are in our letting people go that they get a decent redundancy package to help them get on with their lives,” he said.
Varadkar added that he does not believe the job losses are representative of the wider employment picture in the country as a whole.
“We are approaching full employment in Ireland, which is a job for everyone who wants one. I think that’s a very positive thing,” he said.
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Day 17 and still no baggage. Wonder what happens on day 21. Probably a list of excuses as to why we can’t be compensated
@Ger Power: that is absolutely terrible. With computer systems as they are, they should know exactly where it is and how to get it to you.
@Ger Power: know somebody who just asked could they go in and have a look. Found their bag straight away. Worth a try.
@Ger Power: Sorry to hear…….. Another annoying thing is that the airlines will probable generate more money on the back of this with everyone paying to carry on their 10kg bag to avoid it getting lost.
Checking in luggage really only works if you can get it back at your destination. If they can’t make that work then you should be allowed bring all your suitcases on board as if it was a military transport.
@Sean: And how is ment to be all stored in over head compartments. Please explain?
@Mark Dit: well it would work the same way it does in the feeder bus that takes you to the plane? they’d have to take out a few rows of seats first obviously to make space which would eat into their profits but that is their problem and not mine. If they are running a 3rd world baggage reclaim service as they clearly are that will be entirely in keeping with the flight offering.
@Sean: a few problems with that. first, they couldnt be arsed. second, a bus isnt the same as a plane, weight needs to be distributed somewhat evenly, baggage needs to be secured. Third, it would be some hassle trying to wheel a large 20kg/25kg bag onto a plane as well as smaller cabin bag. It will seriously slow down securing the cabin and delay flights…… Bonkers idea
@Paul Hedderman: of course it is but the current idea of putting your luggage in the hols and it not being there when you arrive at your destination is also bonkers!
I lost the bags under my eyes in Dublin airport
There’s someone somewhere sweating balls because they have a suitcase full of contraband up there.
Always check the other carousels before giving up.
Went through Dublin Airport recently and was waiting for my bag at carousel 6 where i was told to collect….waiting ages and nothing, everyone else bag came through. I met a couple of ladies who’d been waiting for 2 hrs for theirs and thought i might end up the same way. Went wandering along the hall to find someone yo ask and sure enough, 3 carousels down ,there was my bag?!?
I told the other ladies to do the same, the sorting system is all over the place.
@Dawn Harvey: probably full of vibrators.
I wonder if Trash Taste podcast ever got there 50 grand worth of camera equitment back from Aerlingus?
Day 15 of my mobility scooter in delayed baggage, possibly in Heathrow. Im disabled and not able to leave the house without it. Updates promised by Aer Lingus many times but not forthcoming. Also wondering what happens on day 21 when it will be considered lost by Aer Lingus.
The carmelites in Aungier St hold a novena every Monday night for people who have lost their luggage, apparently it’s very successful.
Well for some of on Holidays
@Betty O Sullivan:
Salty
(The sea on the costa, as well as your comment)
@Betty O Sullivan: Not the first time you’ve made that comment.
@Paul Hedderman: oh Shrup
@Betty O Sullivan: Oh bitter Betty is back.
@Franny Ando: oh Shrup ill give you a tick ear
@Betty O Sullivan: shrup betty. All the same don’t mind them. Very few on here have a sense of humour.
@Betty O Sullivan: You’re quite right Betty. There’s far too much of this Holiday nonsense going on. About time someone with descent common sense stood up and told it like it is. Well done Mrs!
@Paul Gorry: How dare you Sir insult the institution that is Betty! She represents a certain unwaivering attitude not seen since the 1980′s. More like her, I say!!!
@Betty O Sullivan: Give me a tick ear too Betty? I want it! No other woman can wear a floral dress like you, while holding that one-arm on the hip so nonchalantly. A fag in the mouth would complete the vision. The epitome of 1980′s fem. I love
@Paul Gorry: on here? It’s a comments section on a news website. I think your looking for the light blue app with the image of a bird?
Staff were let go during the pandemic who new what they were doing, then shock people wanted to go on holidays after being locked locked up for nearly 3 years.The baggage handling was outsourced to maximise profits
Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris has been notorious for losing luggage for donkeys years. The only time I had a bag missing for more than a day was when I flew into that airport, and then they sent me the wrong bag. I have never used a black suitcase since that incident. Thankfully I’d developed a habit of having essentials in my carry-on after having had friends whose bags were missing for the entirety of a holiday.
@Eileesh Buckley: yes…but lost with such finesse. It’s a pleasure to complain.
@Eileesh Buckley: we on Day 18 of lost luggage. We came back from 3 week long haul trip so hand luggage only not possible. My wife has had to buy new clothes, make up and a hairdryer since we got back. This is totally unacceptable. I sense an ongoing battle with AirFrance to either find our bags or get compensation. Our bag could now be at Dublin Airport but with no one giving any communication how are we meant to know? We don’t live in Dublin so are we expected to drive to airport to look for our own bag. Who will I send the diesel receipt to?
Two years ago I went on a flight and they were insistent that all bags including backpacks must be stowed safely overhead before take off for safety reasons. This year they are charging for overhead space so you can keep your backpacks at your feet. Making it up as they go along as usual. Same with the airplane mode instruction which is pointless and same with the inflatable life jacket and whistle schtick which has saved 0.00001% of passengers on downed commercial airlines since air flight was invented. Give me a parachute if you want me to survive not a whistle I have to blow on!
Unattended bags may not be removed and may not be destroyed
Not not not being sarcastic, honest in-jin. But it would seem some of our politicians are a little lost themselves. And if not, then certainly flustered. We know the main problem: lack of staff (if I’m correct?) ..so what’s the plan…man?
Why can’t they just temporarily tag bags with a tracking devices.
@ChadChaderson: cost way to much money to tag every bag
@ChadChaderson: Because that would be an intelligent practical thing to do.
Next time I’m flying I’ll be using one of those Apple airtag thingys.
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