Leo Varadkar
Encyclopedia
Leo Varadkar is an Irish Fine Gael
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Dublin West constituency since June 2007. He is currently the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, being appointed on 9 March 2011.
in Blanchardstown
) and an Irish mother. He was educated at King's Hospital School
, Palmerstown
and Trinity College, Dublin
where he qualified as a medical doctor, and was a member of the Young Fine Gael
branch, as was fellow 2007 entrant to Dáil Éireann
, Lucinda Creighton
.
Varadkar is a member of the Oireachtas rugby team.
in 2003 to replace Sheila Terry. At the 2004 local elections, he was elected to the council to represent the Castleknock
local electoral area, polling the highest first preference vote in the country. He is a former vice-president of the Youth of the European People's Party
and an alumnus of the Washington Ireland Program
. He was elected to Dáil Éireann
at the 2007 general election. He was party spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 2007–2010.
Varadkar was accused of being a racist for suggesting to offer a payment to unemployed immigrants in return for leaving Ireland and returning to their home country. He denied that he was scapegoating Africans.
In March 2010, members of his own party criticised Varadkar after he compared Taoiseach
Brian Cowen
, with former Fine Gael
leader Garret FitzGerald
for tripling the national debt, effectively destroyed the country. He said the Taoiseach should 'enjoy writing boring articles in The Irish Times
in a few years time - another reference to FitzGerald.
In June 2010, Varadkar and a number of other party frontbenchers stated that they had no confidence in their party leader, Enda Kenny
. A subsequent confidence motion in the leader was won. Varadkar was re-appointed to the Front Bench as spokesperson for Communications and Natural Resources.
Unlike many TDs Varadkar avoids funerals of people he doesn't know and does not host clinics.
In May 2011, Varadkar suggested Ireland was "very unlikely" to resume borrowing in 2012 and might need a second bailout, causing jitters on international markets about Ireland's credibility. This angered many of Varadkar's Cabinet colleagues and caused comment at the ECB. Taoiseach
Enda Kenny
repeated the Government view that the State will not require a further EU-IMF bailout and said he had spoken to all ministers, warning them about what they say in public regarding the country's economic position. Varadkar said that reaction to the story was hyped up but that he was not misquoted. The Evening Herald
has described Varadkar as gaffe prone.
In November 2011, Varadkar criticised the Irish tourism industry, specifically restaurants, bars and shops, as not being up to scratch and spoke of his desire to split Cork, Dublin and Shannon Airports, the three state-owned airports, so that they could compete against each other.
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Dublin West constituency since June 2007. He is currently the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, being appointed on 9 March 2011.
Early and private life
Varadkar was born in Dublin, the son of an Indian father (a retired GPGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
in Blanchardstown
Blanchardstown
Blanchardstown is a large suburb of Dublin in the district of Fingal, Ireland. It is within the historical barony of Castleknock. It is located 10 km north-west of the city centre. The suburb is in the Dublin 15 postal area, the Dublin West electoral constituency, and Fingal County...
) and an Irish mother. He was educated at King's Hospital School
The King's Hospital
The King's Hospital is a Church of Ireland co-educational fee-paying boarding and day school situated in Palmerstown, Dublin, Ireland.Founded in 1669, it is one of the oldest schools in Ireland and was also known as the Blue Coat School....
, Palmerstown
Palmerstown
Palmerstown , occasionally referred to as Palmerston, is a suburb of Dublin,Ireland. It is located about 8km west of the city centre, in the administrative county of South Dublin. The area is bordered to the north by the River Liffey, to the west by Lucan, to the south by Ballyfermot and to theeast...
and Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
where he qualified as a medical doctor, and was a member of the Young Fine Gael
Young Fine Gael
Young Fine Gael is the autonomous youth wing of the major Irish political party Fine Gael. It offers its members scope to assist in formulation of political policy, and the day to day running of the senior party...
branch, as was fellow 2007 entrant to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
, Lucinda Creighton
Lucinda Creighton
Lucinda Creighton is an Irish Fine Gael politician. She has been a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency since 2007. She was appointed the Minister of State for European Affairs in March 2011.-Early and private life:...
.
Varadkar is a member of the Oireachtas rugby team.
Political career
Varadkar was co-opted to Fingal County CouncilFingal County Council
Fingal County council is the local authority for the county of Fingal in Ireland. It is one of three local authorities that comprised the former Dublin County Council before its abolition and one of four councils in the Dublin Region. The county seat is in Swords, with another major office...
in 2003 to replace Sheila Terry. At the 2004 local elections, he was elected to the council to represent the Castleknock
Castleknock
Castleknock is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is in the west of the modern administrative county of Fingal within the traditional county of Dublin. It is located west of the centre of Dublin....
local electoral area, polling the highest first preference vote in the country. He is a former vice-president of the Youth of the European People's Party
Youth of the European People's Party
Youth of the European People's Party is an umbrella organization of European political youth organisations and is the official youth wing of the European People's Party. YEPP bring together over 54 Centre-Right youth political organisations from over 35 countries all over Europe...
and an alumnus of the Washington Ireland Program
Washington Ireland Program
The Washington-Ireland Program for Service and Leadership , is a six-month program of personal and professional development that brings university students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to Washington, DC for summer internships and leadership training...
. He was elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
at the 2007 general election. He was party spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment from 2007–2010.
Varadkar was accused of being a racist for suggesting to offer a payment to unemployed immigrants in return for leaving Ireland and returning to their home country. He denied that he was scapegoating Africans.
In March 2010, members of his own party criticised Varadkar after he compared Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
, with former Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
leader Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald was an Irish politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland, serving in office from July 1981 to February 1982 and again from December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in 1969. He...
for tripling the national debt, effectively destroyed the country. He said the Taoiseach should 'enjoy writing boring articles in The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
in a few years time - another reference to FitzGerald.
In June 2010, Varadkar and a number of other party frontbenchers stated that they had no confidence in their party leader, Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
. A subsequent confidence motion in the leader was won. Varadkar was re-appointed to the Front Bench as spokesperson for Communications and Natural Resources.
Unlike many TDs Varadkar avoids funerals of people he doesn't know and does not host clinics.
Ministerial career
At the 2011 general election, Varadkar was re-elected to Dáil Éireann with 8,359 first preference votes, 19.7% of his constituency, and was appointed Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 9 March 2011. This was considered a surprise appointment as Varadkar was not renowned as a sports lover. He stated: "I know a lot of facts. I don't play the sports."In May 2011, Varadkar suggested Ireland was "very unlikely" to resume borrowing in 2012 and might need a second bailout, causing jitters on international markets about Ireland's credibility. This angered many of Varadkar's Cabinet colleagues and caused comment at the ECB. Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
repeated the Government view that the State will not require a further EU-IMF bailout and said he had spoken to all ministers, warning them about what they say in public regarding the country's economic position. Varadkar said that reaction to the story was hyped up but that he was not misquoted. The Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
has described Varadkar as gaffe prone.
In November 2011, Varadkar criticised the Irish tourism industry, specifically restaurants, bars and shops, as not being up to scratch and spoke of his desire to split Cork, Dublin and Shannon Airports, the three state-owned airports, so that they could compete against each other.