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Quick Glance: Leo Varadkar: A Populist Who Struggled with Real People
  • In May 2002, a young party activist analyzed the defeat of Fine Gael under Michael Noonan, emphasizing that none of the former leaders were the expected messiah for the party.

  • Leo Varadkar's political legacy comprises valuable contributions, but he was never seen as a savior of the party. His ability to navigate contradictions made him a skilled politician, but he ultimately realized he couldn't balance on the political tightrope indefinitely.

  • Varadkar was described as a politician who straddled conservatism and an increasingly progressive society. Despite his rapid rise in politics and popularity during crises, he struggled to address long-term challenges in areas like healthcare and housing.

  • His popularity peaked during the Brexit crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, where he was seen as a unifying and authoritative leader. However, he failed to effectively tackle long-term structural issues in Ireland, especially in healthcare and housing, as his neoliberal views did not offer compelling solutions.
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Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said her party is "very much" in touch with the Irish public, despite tallies showing both referendums will be ... Show more
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'They failed to collaborate in any way' - Mary Lou McDonald blames government amid likely No-No vote #referendums #nono #yesyes #sinnfein
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‘We didn’t do our job well enough’: Minister of State criticises colleagues over referendum campaign
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/10/we-didnt-do-our-job-well-enough-minister-of-state-criticises-colleagues-over-referendum-campaign/
‘We didn’t do our job well enough’: Minister of State criticises ...
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Blame game under way after dual Dublin Castle clobbering: Ten years ago Enda Kenny stood in the courtyard of Dublin Castle and said his government had been dealt ...
rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2024/0309/1436943-referendums-analysis/
Blame game under way after dual Dublin Castle clobbering
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Far-right agitators interrupt Mary Lou McDonald as Sinn Féin leader reacts to referenda 
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Far-right agitators interrupt Mary Lou McDonald as Sinn Féin leader reacts ...
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Tadgh McNally: Government looks at next steps to take after messy referendum: Tadgh McNally: Government looks at next steps to take after messy referendum: A ...
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Tadgh McNally: Government looks at next steps to take after messy ...
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President Michael D Higgins votes in referendums: President Michael D Higgins was among those to vote on proposed changes to the Constitution ...
rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0308/1436773-president-michael-d-higgins/
President Michael D Higgins votes in referendums
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‘I’ve seen her on the news a lot’: Teenage girls on Mary Lou McDonald, Holly Cairns and women who inspire them
irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2024/03/03/i-dont-know-much-about-her-but-ive-seen-her-on-the-news-a-lot-teenage-girls-on-mary-lou-and-other-role-models/
‘I’ve seen her on the news a lot’: Teenage girls on Mary Lou McDonald ...
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Varadkar rules out reopening emergency departments in Mid-West regional hospitals to combat trolley crisis in Limerick
irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2024/03/05/varadkar-rules-out-reopening-emergency-departments-in-mid-west-regional-hospitals-to-combat-trolley-crisis-in-limerick/
Varadkar rules out reopening emergency departments in Mid-West regional ...
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Yes Minister: How will Sinn Féin and civil servants get on?: Unlike Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, civil servants have no experience of dealing with Sinn Féin as ...
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Yes Minister: How will Sinn Féin and civil servants get on?
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Top civil servant moved as officials plan for Sinn Féin election success: News from the Irish Examiner's team of reporters
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Top civil servant moved as officials plan for Sinn Féin election success
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"For far too long, Israel has been allowed to act with impunity," President of Sinn Fein Mary Lou McDonald tells Kay Burley. trib.al/Rx0iR33 📺 Sky 501 ... Show more
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“For far too long has Israel been allowed to act with impunity.”Mary Lou McDonald, President of Sinn Fein, told Sky News presenter Kay Burley on Thursday ... Show more
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Irish unification referendum by 2030, Sinn Fein leader tells Sky News: A referendum on unifying Ireland and Northern Ireland will happen within the next six ...
news.sky.com/story/irish-unification-referendum-by-2030-sinn-fein-leader-tells-sky-news-13066545
Irish unification referendum by 2030, Sinn Fein leader tells Sky News
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Mary Lou McDonald expects vote on Irish unity ‘this decade’: Ms McDonald’s comments echo earlier remarks from Michelle O’Neill, who said we are entering a ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/04/michelle-oneill-says-she-expects-vote-on-irish-unity-in-next-10-years/
Mary Lou McDonald expects vote on Irish unity ‘this decade’
Quick Glance: Historic Milestone: First Nationalist Minister Appointed in Northern Ireland
  • Michelle O'Neill from Sinn Fein has made history as the first nationalist minister in Northern Ireland.

  • The deputy first minister will be Emma Little-Pengelly from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

  • According to the Good Friday Agreement, the deputy minister has the same authority as the first minister.

  • In her speech, which started in Irish, Ms O'Neill said: 'Today opens the door to the future - a shared future.'
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Donaldson: A united Ireland 'is just not where we are': DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has dismissed Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald's assertion ...
irishtimes.com/video/politics/2024/02/13/donaldson-a-united-ireland-is-just-not-where-we-are/
Donaldson: A united Ireland 'is just not where we are'
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The Politics Fix: Sinn Féin and Mary Lou McDonald are winners this week - until the poll
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/09/sinn-fein-poll-mary-lou-mcdonald-stormont-john-bruton-family-care-referendums/
The Politics Fix: Sinn Féin and Mary Lou McDonald are winners this week - ...
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Sinn Féin would rerun family and care referendum, Mary Lou McDonald says: Party president said Government's wording was an 'opportunity missed' and Sinn Féin in ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41335918.html
Sinn Féin would rerun family and care referendum, Mary Lou McDonald says
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Mary Lou McDonald was speaking to Sky News following the restoration of the Northern Ireland executive, where her party - a nationalist group - are now the ... Show more
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Mick Clifford: Sinn Féin's legal actions raise serious questions: Mick Clifford: Sinn Féin's legal actions raise serious questions: A comprehensive series ...
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Mick Clifford: Sinn Féin's legal actions raise serious questions
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Mary Lou McDonald to ‘reflect’ and ‘correct things’ in wake of poll slump for Sinn Féin
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/02/08/its-all-to-play-for-varadkar-says-poll-findings-suggest-outcome-of-next-general-election-wide-open/
Mary Lou McDonald to ‘reflect’ and ‘correct things’ in wake of poll slump ...
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Varadkar expresses ‘concern’ that SF could decide RTÉ's funding as leader sues broadcaster
irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2024/02/14/varadkar-expresses-concern-that-sf-could-decide-rtes-funding-as-leader-sues-broadcaster/
Varadkar expresses ‘concern’ that SF could decide RTÉ's funding as leader ...
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TV licence fee could come down if tax was collected by Revenue, says Tánaiste: However, Micheál Martin said there is political concern over changing the method ...
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41327923.html
TV licence fee could come down if tax was collected by Revenue ...
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Watch: New First Minister 'moment of great significance': Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said it will be a moment of "very great ...
rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0130/1429425-sinn-fein-stormont/
Watch: New First Minister 'moment of great significance'
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Mary Lou McDonald calls for TV licence to be scrapped: The Sinn Féin leader has said her party want to abolish the controversial TV licence and invest Exchequer ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41321626.html
Mary Lou McDonald calls for TV licence to be scrapped
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First Sinn Féin first minister ‘shows Irish unity is within touching distance’: News from the Irish Examiner's team of reporters
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First Sinn Féin first minister ‘shows Irish unity is within touching ...
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'We know that there will be challenges and that there will be forces that will push back against change but we are all about a changed Ireland and a new ... Show more
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Diarmaid Ferriter: History would suggest Mary Lou McDonald’s comment about unity “within touching distance” is wildly exaggerated
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/02/02/diarmaid-ferriter-history-would-suggest-mcdonalds-comment-about-unity-within-touching-distance-is-wildly-exaggerated/
Diarmaid Ferriter: History would suggest Mary Lou McDonald’s comment about ...
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'We're here to do the business' says Mary Lou McDonald, president of Sinn Fein, at a news conference addressing Northern Ireland's power-sharing deal ... Show more
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'A disgrace': Mary Lou McDonald's top among complaints to Ceann Comhairle
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41321530.html
'A disgrace': Mary Lou McDonald's top among complaints to ...
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"Displacing an entire population is not self-defence"Sinn Fein President, Mary Lou McDonald, spoke at a pro-Palestine protest in London ... Show more
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Nothern Ireland’s new First Minister believes a vote on unification will come within a decade
theglobeandmail.com/world/article-nothern-irelands-new-first-minister-believes-a-vote-on-unification/
Nothern Ireland’s new First Minister believes a vote on unification will ...
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Thousands of protesters have gathered in London for a seventh national rally in solidarity with Palestinians on Saturday marking a "global day of ... Show more
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Man charged in killing outside Lenexa McDonald’s told police he acted in self-defense
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Man charged in killing outside Lenexa McDonald’s told police he acted in ...
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Taoiseach: It's up to Robbie Keane where he coaches: Leo Varadkar also differed with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald over house prices
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41294644.html
Taoiseach: It's up to Robbie Keane where he coaches
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Stephen Collins: A swathe of the population believes they live in a hellhole, but the evidence suggests otherwise
irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/12/29/stephen-collins-a-swathe-of-the-population-believes-they-live-in-a-hellhole-but-the-evidence-suggests-otherwise/
Stephen Collins: A swathe of the population believes they live in a ...
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Mary Lou McDonald urges shoppers to boycott Israeli goods: Companies like SodaStream, Puma, and Siemens have Israeli links and the Sinn Féin leader has called on ...
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41294665.html
Mary Lou McDonald urges shoppers to boycott Israeli goods
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Cliff Taylor: Sinn Féin is right to want to lower house prices. Easier said than done
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/01/07/sinn-fein-is-right-to-want-to-lower-house-prices-easier-said-than-done/
Cliff Taylor: Sinn Féin is right to want to lower house prices ...
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Shane Ross: Mary Lou McDonald shoots — and scores an own goal on house prices: The Sinn Féin research bureau has obviously been burning the midnight oil ...
independent.ie/opinion/comment/shane-ross-mary-lou-mcdonald-shoots-and-scores-an-own-goal-on-house-prices/a1884335459.html
Shane Ross: Mary Lou McDonald shoots — and scores an own goal on house ...
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Mary Lou McDonald: Sinn Féin leader says average Dublin house prices should fall to ‘the €300,000 mark’
irishtimes.com/politics/2023/12/20/mary-lou-mcdonald-sinn-fein-leader-says-average-dublin-house-prices-should-fall-to-the-300000-mark/
Mary Lou McDonald: Sinn Féin leader says average Dublin house prices ...
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Una Mullally: Sinn Féin must outline what its version of a new Ireland would look like
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/01/01/una-mullally-what-voters-need-from-sinn-fein-in-2024-is-less-attack-dog-more-vision/
Una Mullally: Sinn Féin must outline what its version of a new Ireland ...
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McDonald vows to continue as Sinn Féin leader even if they fail in general election
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McDonald vows to continue as Sinn Féin leader even if they fail in general ...
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Sinn Féin walks immigration tightrope toward power in Ireland: Mary Lou McDonald seeks support on the left as she eyes victory — even as her nationalist party’s ...
politico.eu/article/sinn-fein-dublin-mary-lou-mcdonald-towards-power-in-ireland/
Sinn Féin walks immigration tightrope toward power in Ireland
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Shane Ross: Are we ready for a year of real political change?: Is 2024 destined to be a year of dramatic political change? There will certainly be plenty of ...
independent.ie/opinion/shane-ross-are-we-ready-for-a-year-of-real-political-change/a435587207.html
Shane Ross: Are we ready for a year of real political change?
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Has Sinn Féin’s advantage on housing hit a speed bump?: Party leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed that she would seek to bring down house prices if Sinn Fein was ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2023/12/21/has-sinn-feins-advantage-on-housing-hit-a-speed-bump/
Has Sinn Féin’s advantage on housing hit a speed bump?
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Sinn Féin walks immigration tightrope toward power in Ireland: Mary Lou McDonald seeks support on the left as she eyes victory — even as her nationalist party’s ...
politico.eu/article/sinn-fein-dublin-mary-lou-mcdonald-towards-power-in-ireland/
Sinn Féin walks immigration tightrope toward power in Ireland
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Mary Lou McDonald interview: Sinn Féin leader talks housing, taking power and suing the media
irishtimes.com/politics/2023/12/20/mary-lou-mcdonald-on-the-housing-crisis-sinn-fein-taking-power-and-suing-the-media/
Mary Lou McDonald interview: Sinn Féin leader talks housing ...
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Justice Minister and Garda Commissioner 'should resign', says Mary Lou McDonald
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41276434.html
Justice Minister and Garda Commissioner 'should resign' ...
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Dáil hears of couple expecting first child face prospect of living in their car: Mary Lou McDonald has told the Dáil of a couple, pregnant with their first child ...
irishtimes.com/video/politics/oireachtas/2023/12/13/dail-hears-of-couple-expecting-first-child-face-prospect-of-living-in-their-car/
Dáil hears of couple expecting first child face prospect of living in ...
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Miriam Lord’s political awards for 2023: Gongs go to Timmy Dooley, Mary Robinson, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Louise O’Reilly, Thomas Pringle, Michael Collins ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2023/12/23/miriam-lords-political-awards-for-2023/
Miriam Lord’s political awards for 2023
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Sinn Féin to bring motion of no confidence in Minister for Justice Helen McEntee: Mary Lou McDonald accuses Government of forcing party’s hand by ‘not listening’ ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2023/12/01/sinn-fein-to-bring-motion-of-no-confidence-in-minister-for-justice-helen-mcentee/
Sinn Féin to bring motion of no confidence in Minister for Justice Helen ...