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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said political culture has changed in the last number of years.
Speaking at an event focused on healthcare in Kildare today, Leo Varadkar also spoke about how he has known Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald for a long time and often discusses matters such as Northern Ireland with her.
Varadkar said when he started off in politics, “it would have been much more normal for people to kind of have a row in the [Dáil] chamber and then maybe have a drink in the bar afterwards. It’s not really like that anymore”.
“Maybe it’s just the way society has changed. People are busier or they socialise less and drink less, go home more often, you know. So that kind of political culture, which wasn’t a bad thing, where maybe everyone was up in Dublin for a few days and then kind of tried to get on behind the scenes – that doesn’t really happen in the way it used to,” he said.
Varadkar said that’s not to say there aren’t relationships outside of politics, adding:
“Take the case of Mary Lou McDonald. I would know her from the time she was in Dublin West, in my constituency, [she] was in Fianna Fáil branch originally, and then ran for Sinn Féin in Dublin West before moving to Dublin Central. So we actually used to live quite near to each other.
“We have each other’s phone numbers and sometimes we would talk offline about things, particularly in relation to Northern Ireland, where there are things that need to be talked about, that are sensitive and are best not done in public. Because we do have common interests when it comes to things to do with the Good Friday Agreement and trying to make sure that that’s up and running and operating again.
“So we’re able to talk offline, in that sense, but it’s not the way it used to be in a sense of camaraderie.”
Former minister Jim Daly, who is now CEO of the Private Hospitals Association, who was moderating the discussion today mentioned how Varadkar had recently sent flowers to McDonald after she underwent a hysterectomy.
Daly said such a gesture is a side of politics we don’t often get to see.
Varadkar went on to say that he feels lucky in the Dublin West constituency as all representatives from the area work to get things done for the community and avoid taking “potshots at each other”.
With reporting by Eimer McAuley
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May she enjoy endless G&Ts in the Rovers Return up above
Yates you just can’t help yourself. Rip very sad news
RIP Anne.
I remember when she was interviewed on the Late-late show, very warm person.
Apparently, most of the time, the famous glasses had no lenses in them, to avoid flaring with all the studio lighting, and Anne would simply wear the frames & use contact lenses.
Very sad. 60 isn’t old at all. When we have all grown up over the years and watched her, and others, on tv, its like we have a personal connection with them and sudden deaths like this makes it personal for all of us too. May she r.i.p.
60 is old .
Macus Mc Mahon
May you live to see 60 & well beyond.
And may you find maturity along the way.
Aw that’s sad news, I for one will miss her from our screens!
Rest In Peace
Rip
Very sad news. A super actress that will be sorely missed on the cobbles. Goodnight Deirdre.
What did she die of?
a Monday.
RIP Deirdre Luv x
Haven’t watched the show since I was a kid. But I remember her like she was an old friend . Very sad news.
Very sad news…Brilliant actress…R.I.P…
Aw deirdre and those glasses rip Anne
Corrie fans will miss her Rip
Who’ll walk Eccles now! RIP Anne.
A true tv icon,to the British Isles and Ireland at least. Very young to go at 60. Feels like she’s been around a lifetime too. May she Rest in Peace
You’re free now, Deirdre Rachid. RIP.
Sergeant it might need a good idea for you to take up watching s few soaps, Then you wouldn’t have to spend so much time thinking of nonsense to type.
@Sergeant Yates..And theres no doubt your own passing ,whenever it comes,will go completely un noticed yates..you are a sad excuse for a human
So sad. I’m goin’ upstairs to play me tapes.
R.I.P you will be missed of our TV’s.
Corrie fans will miss her, Rip
And her family
Very sad RIP
Her rendition of Rihanna is one of my favourite TV moments!
RIP chuck !
Rest in peace weatherfield one.
Wow shocked. Rest in peace deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Who’ll walk Eccles now. RIP Anne.
Yates… Nothing nice to say.. Then don’t bother saying anything at all
There’s a lot of hate in you Yates, chill man
Meretricious = flashy, pretentious. Really? A lot of people admired this lady because of her acting brilliancy, being real and stayed for 44 years. So all of us that admired her could hardly be accused of meretriciously.
You’re not into capital letters either, are you?
See if your so funny when death visits your door..# karma
Trolls don’t have front doors
So sad as she has been a small part of some of our lives for many many years, hard to believe she has been in Corrie for 44 years. Anyway rest in peace Deirdre, yet another person gone well before their time
Rip corrie won’t be the same:/
Reunited again with Blanche….! RIP
Fantastic actress and seemed a lovely lady in real life. Irreplaceable
I thought she was more than 60. RIP.
Don’t watch it anymore but she was a brilliant actress she will be sorely missed on the cobbles and by her husband David…RIP.
I havent watched the show in years was she still there or had she left just curious very young to die RIP
Rest in peace Ann Kilbride a wonderful actress in Corrie and will be a big loss to the Corrie .
Yates correct name Should be Mr Hankey.
He’s no more than a piece of P##.
RIP Anne.
I wonder was it related to all the fags she smoked, im guessing yes. Still sad though.
I dont think she ever got over being falsely accused and thrown in the big house…
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