Leo Varadkar resigns as Taoiseach

thomas 123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920390#Comment_121920390

Wealthier people can afford to get into more debt to aqquire over inflated homes. Don’t forget the lending rules changed recently to drive on the debt.

That’s ignoring the pressure from Councils and investment funds/ buy to rents.

J.O. Farmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920262#Comment_121920262

I wouldn't be sure about that.

Yes it will take 2 from 3 out of FF, FG and SF. However it is unlikely we'll see FF and FG finish with virtually the same number of seats like 2020 and therefore be seen as equal partners again.

If FF get more seats (say 5-10) would FG become the junior partner to FF. If so would it be a good move for longevity for any leader to lead them into that. Maybe FF or FG are big and old enough to buck the trend of what happens to junior partners.

I expect a repeat of 2020 with long drawn out negotiations while the parties all look for any other way than 2 out of 3 going in together. SF won't necessarily want to go in with FF or FG either. Confidence and supply came about as FF didn't want to be junior partner in an FG lead government, we may well end up with confidence and supply 2.0.

whisky_galore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920404#Comment_121920404

The way things are going, both partners in a couple NEED to work in order to be able to afford a place, to just about tread water. Kids are becoming a luxury, curiously only affordable now to people who don't work to spawn the next generation of the idle.

This country is becoming less and less hospitable for the so-called "people who get up early in the morning".

Asdfgh2020

Could Leo’s ‘personal reason’ be a health one……even-though visually/physically he looks his normal self it is possible that he could have recently received a serious diagnosis…?

ToweringPerformance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920439#Comment_121920439

Arrogantitis?

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920439#Comment_121920439

Possibly. I reckon more a “salacious” type reason(s). If it was health reasons, I’d think he would have mentioned it, even subtly.

whisky_galore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920439#Comment_121920439

Getting out while the going's good.

Leo looking out for Leo.

sydthebeat

I love how Leo is seen as both a "Thatcherite capitalist Tory boy" AND a "liberal agenda driven woke socialist" by some on here.

Schroedingers varadkar.

It's as if they have no understanding of actual politics

prunudo

From reading posts on here and talking to people, it seems there are two distinct camps. Those that think the sun shone from his back side and those that see him as a spoofer.

I never liked him but he certainly seemed to have lost his spark in recent years compared to his early political life.

But the fact remains, we are wealthy country, yet he has presided over a terribly wasteful period for the Irish state, people can't buy houses, soaring rents, shambles of health service, lack of school places, stripped back gardai and defence forces (plus low morale in both), failed and unpopular immigration policies, lack of foresight when it comes to infrastructure. Lets not forgot the handling of covid and coming out of lockdowns.

He was so out of touch with the public mood its not funny (so is the whole government for that matter), he looked down on people with opposing views and only cared about himself and how he looked to foreign leaders.

Delighted to see him go, but the options, on either side of the house, don't inspire confidence in change.

rob316

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920278#Comment_121920278

There's no plan because there isn't any talent in the party. Coveney doesn't want it and Paschal probably doesn't either, so your left with Harris and mcentee.

rob316

Paddy power has Harris as the favourite, the current Minister of a department I never even heard of. Inspiring stuff

road_high

Thought he was especially brutal during covid. Just farmed everything out to Nphet and that obnoxious Holohan crook. Overall a dismal Taoiseach

TinyMuffin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920439#Comment_121920439

He received 2 serious kicks to the arse.

Beechwoodspark

“Getting out while the going's good.

Leo looking out for Leo.”

This sums it up.

The referendum result sealed it.

He timed this to happen just after his cushy visit to Washington (maybe even make a few corporate friends while there).

Reports in Irish examiner that he held a private party in Washington with his family, friends, advisors on Friday night.

He is out the gap now, considering his options, while leaving the whole huge mess and problems for the plebs to sort out....

Tombo2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920300#Comment_121920300

Thats an interesting question - is Varadkar the most despised Taoiseach ever.

Its a very different question to asking if he has been a good or bad Taoiseach.

You remember Biffo and Bertie and Haughey, and you know well therefore there's no way on Gods earth you can argue hes been bad compared to that lot.

However, most despised is a different question because obviously we live in a social media age where 'despising' is what people do, and they like to do it publically.

Its all about me, my feelings, I'm mad as hell and I want everyone to know it.

Personally, I'm very worried at the moment that this opens the way for Conor McGregor types to step into politics; people who play to social media, rather than having any actual substance.

For me personally, in my lifetime, I've never been more disappointed to see a politician resign. Not because I think Varadkar is amazing, but because good politicians are saying 'this isnt worth it'. And that will just leave the nutjobs.

malinheader

Varadkar was bad but Harris is going to be a total disaster imo.

No character, no strength no charisma and definitely not a commanding presence. Also nothing springs to mind of anything he has done Definitely not a leader imo.

But then again who else is there.

Montage of Feck

He wasn't the worst of them, just disappointed me that his forthrightness evaporated when he got the top job, the consequence of keeping the peace in a coalition I suppose.

Potatoeman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920059#Comment_121920059

Family reunification would make that pointless, what’s the point of letting young workers in if they bring their elderly parents over through these policies?

Beechwoodspark

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920532#Comment_121920532

Harris is a complete and utter joke.

FG will crash and burn with him “leading” them.

howiya

Neal Richmond on Morning Ireland appealing to Harris to allow his name go forward and letting on he hasn't talked to Simon. Pick up the phone instead of going on the radio ffs. The narcissism of the political classes knows no bounds.

Raoul Duke III

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920278#Comment_121920278

No such thing as a 'plan of succession' exists in any political party. They're not top companies or royal families.

And that's a good thing.

seanin4711

small loss!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121918547#Comment_121918547

Its impossible for FG to get serious about housing, they are idoelogically wedded to the causes of the crisis. They will be out in the wilderness for at least a decade before people forget that it was them that landed us in this shitshow.

realdanbreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121919637#Comment_121919637

I'd say it's not the only thing you've missed !

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920451#Comment_121920451

Will you ever get a life? I am no fan of FG but that kind of grubby speculation says more about you to be honest. Not the first time in this thread either. I realise Leo didn't fit the Catholic fundamental type but he's gone now, a little respect please.

A complete and utter wimp...they may as well go out and ask a transition year student who has some free time. Where have all the grown ups gone.

ted1

Does anybody think Harris is good?

ive nothing positive to say about him. Pascal or Simon are the only 2 I can see, that can turn the ship. But they have sense to see a disappointing election next year

foxhunter2024

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920637#Comment_121920637

Harris is a collage drop out, Pascal was with the wef recently so he is the next puppet.

iffandonlyif

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920611#Comment_121920611

Causes of the crisis are restrictive planning system, restricted financing, severe labour shortage and immigration. Is that all part of FG’s ideology?

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121920611#Comment_121920611

Look around there’s houses been built every where. The tide had changed significantly compared to 2 years ago.

I believe that they did action but it takes time to build out the pipeline and we are know just see the end results