Free Republic

For as much and as long as I have been hammering away at the fascist lunatics in Scotland, I have also been watching my other ancestral homeland in abject horror, descending into what can only be described as an authoritarian hellscape. Again, orchestrated by people voted into power by citizens, yes. Again - as with Scottish First Minister Yousaf - the son of an immigrant (Varadkar's father is Indian) who became a politician of globalist aspirations and vision who was elevated to the premier office in his small country. Varadkar has spent the past years of his time in office...

In 2017, Varadkar became the first gay prime minister of the once-staunchly Catholic country and the youngest person to hold the office. He returned to the premiership in 2022 under a rotation arrangement struck between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, the two largest parties in a three-party coalition with the smaller Green Party. Varadkar's government has overseen a sharp economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic but has struggled to tackle a decade-long housing crisis and more recently the pressure on services from record numbers of asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees. He also suffered an embarrassing referendum defeat this month when...

President Biden met with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar Friday, where the leader said he thinks there should be a cease-fire “as soon as possible” between Israel and Hamas. Varadkar said he was “keen” to speak with Biden about the war in Gaza, as the two leaders met at the White House to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. “You know, my – my view that we need to have a cease-fire as soon as possible to get food and medicine in, to get the hostages out,” Varadkar said. Biden interjected, saying “And I agree.” The Prime Minister continued, saying he and...

Former president Mary Robinson has called on the Taoiseach (prime minister) to urge the US to end its military and financial support for Israel during his meeting with Joe Biden at the White House. Leo Varadkar this afternoon met US President Joe Biden, with Ukraine, Gaza, Northern Ireland and the economic outlook on the agenda. The chairwoman of the Elders group said the focus should not be on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but on political responses to it. Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mrs. Robinson said: “Yes, the humanitarian situation is utterly catastrophic and dire, reducing a people...

Taoiseach (Ireland prime minister) Leo Varadkar has started his visit to Washington DC at the Ireland Funds gala dinner last night, where he told the audience that Europe and America have a responsibility to bring an end to the injustices in the Holy Land. The event was also addressed by the First and Deputy First Minster of Northern Ireland. The Ireland Funds gala raised $1.2 million for the work of the fund, supporting cross community and cross border projects in Ireland. […] “The brutal and indiscriminate attacks carried out by Hamas on Israeli civilians on 7 October were vicious terrorist...

A dual referendum in Ireland on redefining family and women's roles in the constitution has been defeated, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday. The government had supported the proposed changes, which would have widened the definition of the family and clarified out-dated language about the duties of women in society. "I think it's clear at this stage, that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated," Varadkar said at a press conference in Dublin.The votes are the latest attempt to reflect the changing face of European Union member Ireland, and the waning influence of the once-dominant...

Taoiseach Leo Vardakar has said he believes Israel has become “blinded by rage” and that he is not sure if the country is listening to anyone in the world, including the US. Speaking during Leaders Questions, Mr. Varadkar told the Dáil that there was a serious risk of a massacre in Rafah in southern Gaza, if a ground assault was to occur, which would be a “gross violation of international law on top of all of the other violations of international law which Israel is responsible for”. Mr. Varadkar said he believed a ceasefire proposal, negotiated by Egypt, Qatar and...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that Ireland’s policy on China and Taiwan has not changed, despite reports in Chinese state media following his meeting in Dublin with Chinese premier Li Qiang. Earlier, CGTN quoted Mr. Varadkar as saying that Ireland “will always abide by the one-China principle, and hopes that China will achieve peaceful reunification at an early date”. However, Mr. Varadkar said Ireland supported the One China “policy” on Taiwan, which is distinct from the One China “principle”. He said: “I reaffirmed our policy, which is the One China policy, that we recognize that Taiwan is part of China....

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he understands that discussions are “ongoing” between the owner of a Mayo hotel, that was due to house International Protection applicants, and the Department of Integration. A protest has been taking place this weekend outside the former JJ Gannon’s hotel on Ballinrobe’s Main Street in County Mayo. Protesters say they want assurances from the Department of Integration that plans to house 50 asylum seekers there will not proceed. Mr.Varadkar said he “totally” acknowledges that people locally have concerns and fears and that their fears must be allayed with communication and provided information. Speaking on RTÉ’s This...

On Friday, Prime Minister Leo Varadkar made a commitment to take strong action against individuals with racist views who engaged in violent confrontations with riot police. He described this as a pivotal moment for a country that was ill-prepared to tackle the increasing hostility toward immigrants within its working-class communities.The previous night's riots, driven by anti-immigration sentiments, were sparked by an Algerian man stabbing three, one critically, young children and an adult caregiver outside a school in central Dublin. (snip)The Irish public television, RTE, conducted a poll which found that only 19% of the Irish public were in support of...

The Taoiseach has told farmers that climate change is the biggest threat facing Ireland today and it is not clear what type of agriculture we will have in 20, 30 or 40 years time. Speaking at the AGM of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Leo Varadkar said the climate is getting warmer and drier, and in order to rise to the climate challenge, openness to significant change will be needed. He said farming income can be protected with other things like forestry and carbon farming. He said the agri-sector will not be asked to take a disproportionate part...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he does not regret saying the Israeli response to the 7 October Hamas attack was becoming “something more approaching revenge”. […] Asked if he regretted the use of the word when commenting on Israel’s actions in Gaza, and if it would hamper Irish diplomatic efforts, he said he did not regret its use. He later said: “When the Tánaiste [Micheál Martin] and I take the positions that we do, we do so because we think it’s the right thing. Ultimately, this is about civilians. Israeli civilians who died and were injured, and also Palestinians who...

The Taoiseach has said that what is happening in Gaza is not just self-defense on the part of Israel, but it “resembles something more approaching revenge”. Leo Varadkar’s comments come as Israeli ground troops are encircling Gaza City this morning. He said that it is very important that people “never forget where this started”, adding that this phase of the conflict started with a Hamas attack on Israel where 1,400 civilians were killed, including one person who was a dual Israeli-Irish citizen. “I strongly believe, like any state, Israel has a right to defend itself, has the right to go...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is to meet with the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul today and said he will raise the issue of LGBT rights.South Korea’s constitutional court recently upheld a law banning same-sex relations in the military. Mr. Varadkar is currently in the country on a trade mission and speaking to reporters in Seoul, he said he respected the right of any democratic country to make its own rules, but that it is certainly one of the issues he will have a chance to mention to the President. […] The two leaders are also expected to...

The European Commission has decided to restrict the provision of flexibility on nitrates rules affecting more than 3,000 Irish dairy and beef farmers from the first of January. Many farmers may have to reduce stocking rates as a result. The farmers have been availing of a nitrates derogation that allowed them higher stocking rates on their farms. But that arrangement was dependent on Ireland delivering on a commitment to improve water quality. The Government has failed to do this. The commission’s response means that, from next year, the farmers affected will have three ways to meet the new, reduced limits...

President Joe Biden and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar watch a youth Gaelic sports demonstration in Dublin, Ireland

President Joe Biden is set to host Ireland’s prime minister on Friday, after the COVID-19 pandemic scuttled the longstanding St. Patrick’s Day meetup two years in a row. Leo Varadkar, known as the taoiseach, and his partner, Matthew Barrett, will attend a breakfast with Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff. Then they will head to the U.S. Capitol for a lunch with congressional leaders and Biden before the two leaders convene. […] Biden, who often speaks of his Irish heritage and is fond of quoting Irish poets, declared March Irish-American heritage month. The White House is even...

There is something very amusing about Catholics talking about beliefs that have no scientific consensus. I was raised in the church and, although I’m not religious any more, I still believe in God. I believe in something greater than us, shaping our lives in ways that we cannot even begin to understand. I’m out here, all the live-long day, praying to my guardian angels for help with parking spots and to ensure the plane doesn’t crash in the middle of particularly nasty turbulence. However, I have absolutely no proof that any of these things exist, outside of my belief in...

The Taoiseach has said he is extremely concerned about the rise of the far-right in this country, adding that anti-refugee protests are “not the Irish way”. Leo Varadkar said scenes witnessed at a number of protests in recent days and weeks are not acceptable, but admitted that robust systems must be put in place to ensure people who arrive here have genuine reasons to seek international protection. “Refugees are welcome here,” he said. Mr. Varadkar confirmed that the refugee crisis and the war in Ukraine were raised during a meeting with European Parliament president Roberta Metsola in Government Buildings. Speaking...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said mistakes were made on all sides in the handling of Brexit, but vowed to be “flexible and reasonable” when attempting to solve issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol. He conceded that the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol is “too strict” and said he understands unionist concerns that the treaty has made them feel less British. Mr. Varadkar, who became Taoiseach for a second time in December, has become deeply unpopular within some sections of unionism and loyalism who claim he was an instrumental figure in the creation of the contentious protocol. His name and image have...