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Paul Hosford: Can Sinn Féin really bring back the Mars Delight?: Paul Hosford: Can Sinn Féin really bring back the Mars Delight?
irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40960769.html
Paul Hosford: Can Sinn Féin really bring back the Mars Delight?
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Paul Hosford: Can Sinn Féin really bring back the Mars Delight?: Paul Hosford: Can Sinn Féin really bring back the Mars Delight?
irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40960769.html
Paul Hosford: Can Sinn Féin really bring back the Mars Delight?
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Terry Prone: Sinn Féin’s stale predictability leaves it as cutting edge as a butter knife
irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41373664.html
Terry Prone: Sinn Féin’s stale predictability leaves it as cutting edge as ...
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Sinn Féin is now out of touch with its own supporters, claims Aontú leader: Mary Lou McDonald ‘wrong-footed’ on major issues as party seeks centre ground to ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/13/sinn-fein-is-now-out-of-touch-with-its-own-supporters-claims-aontu-leader/
Sinn Féin is now out of touch with its own supporters, claims Aontú leader
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800 chemotherapy appts for children cancelled, Dáil told: A quarter of a million hospital appointments were cancelled last year, including 800 chemotherapy ...
rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0417/1444046-dail-latest/
800 chemotherapy appts for children cancelled, Dáil told
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Taoiseach refuses to apologise to Sinn Féin over health budget claim : Simon Harris hit out at Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald for what he called 'faux ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41376646.html
Taoiseach refuses to apologise to Sinn Féin over health budget claim 
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Mick Clifford: Sinn Féin chasing votes in the gutter of lies : Mary Lou McDonald’s party wants voters back and appears willing to go to extreme lengths of ...
irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41370928.html
Mick Clifford: Sinn Féin chasing votes in the gutter of lies 
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Housing minister urges Sinn Féin politicians to clarify position on housing schemes
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41375686.html
Housing minister urges Sinn Féin politicians to clarify position on ...
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Fianna Fáil grassroots members open to Sinn Féin coalition — but with Michelle O'Neill as leader
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41374753.html
Fianna Fáil grassroots members open to Sinn Féin coalition — but with ...
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‘No-show Taoiseach’: Harris lambasted for being ‘as láthair’ on first full day in office
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/10/no-show-taoiseach-harris-lambasted-for-being-as-lathair-on-first-full-day-in-office/
‘No-show Taoiseach’: Harris lambasted for being ‘as láthair’ on first full ...
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Apprenticeship system in crisis, Dáil hears: The apprenticeship system is in crisis and that there is a backlog of 9,000 people waiting to qualify in trades ...
rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0418/1444281-apprenticeship/
Apprenticeship system in crisis, Dáil hears
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Fianna Fáil grassroots ‘optimistic’ about outdoing Sinn Féin in local elections: Party members express views on targets, party leaders and potential coalition ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/14/fianna-fail-grassroots-optimistic-about-local-elections-amid-sinn-fein-competition/
Fianna Fáil grassroots ‘optimistic’ about outdoing Sinn Féin in local ...
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Sinn Féin claims Government 'deliberately made a choice' to underfund cancer services
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41372176.html
Sinn Féin claims Government 'deliberately made a choice' to ...
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Sinn Féin proposal that Ireland should 'go it alone' with asylum system 'crazy' - McEntee
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41371972.html
Sinn Féin proposal that Ireland should 'go it alone' with asylum ...
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'They can't count': Fine Gael on the attack against Sinn Féin at Ard Fheis
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41368939.html
'They can't count': Fine Gael on the attack against Sinn ...
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Sinn Féin disputes findings of report suggesting united Ireland to cost €20bn annually
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/04/sinn-fein-disputes-findings-of-report-suggesting-united-ireland-to-cost-20bn-annually/
Sinn Féin disputes findings of report suggesting united Ireland to cost ...
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Next election will herald an age of Independents: Series of flip-flops by Sinn Féin on hate speech, the Nature Restoration Law, and the recent referendums raises ...
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/04/12/next-election-will-herald-an-age-of-independents/
Next election will herald an age of Independents
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More than 1,000 registering for apprenticeships over past three years have dropped out, Dáil told
irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2024/04/18/more-than-1000-registering-for-apprenticeships-over-past-three-years-have-dropped-out-dail-told/
More than 1,000 registering for apprenticeships over past three years have ...
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Government accused of 'sitting on its hands' on abortion care reform: Holly Cairns accused the Government of inaction on the matter
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41375866.html
Government accused of 'sitting on its hands' on abortion care ...
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Sun shines as anniversary of Easter Rising marked with GPO ceremony: President Michael D Higgins lays wreath in first public engagement since hospitalisation ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/31/sun-shines-as-anniversary-of-easter-rising-is-marked-with-gpo-ceremony/
Sun shines as anniversary of Easter Rising marked with GPO ceremony
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The boy who would be Taoiseach: ‘It’s not true that he always wanted to be a politician,’ say Simon Harris’s p
independent.ie/irish-news/the-boy-who-would-be-taoiseach-its-not-true-that-he-always-wanted-to-be-a-politician-say-simon-harriss-parents/a1587286447.html
The boy who would be Taoiseach: ‘It’s not true that he always wanted to be ...
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Pat Leahy: Joe Brolly and Sinn Féin are sick of experts. Have any of them heard of Brexit?
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/04/13/pat-leahy-joe-brolly-and-sinn-fein-are-sick-of-experts-have-any-of-them-heard-of-brexit/
Pat Leahy: Joe Brolly and Sinn Féin are sick of experts. Have any of them ...
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Simon Harris to ask departing and 'crowd-drawing' TDs to play role in rejuvenating party
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41366737.html
Simon Harris to ask departing and 'crowd-drawing' TDs to play ...
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He’s denied it for decades. Now Gerry Adams faces court over IRA links: The former Sinn Fein leader has been named in a High Court case brought by survivors of ...
thetimes.co.uk/article/hes-denied-it-for-decades-now-gerry-adams-faces-court-over-ira-links-fm093pbm7
He’s denied it for decades. Now Gerry Adams faces court over IRA links
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Michael McDowell: Republicans who don’t respect unionists or recognise the State are standing in the way of a united Ireland
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/04/03/michael-mcdowell-republicans-who-dont-respect-unionists-or-recognise-the-state-are-standing-in-the-way-of-a-united-ireland/
Michael McDowell: Republicans who don’t respect unionists or recognise the ...
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'Disgraceful' that medical professionals had to petition Government for proper cancer funding
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41375527.html
'Disgraceful' that medical professionals had to petition ...
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Stephen Collins: Notion that Fine Gael would benefit from a period in opposition is absurd
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/04/05/notion-that-fine-gael-would-benefit-from-a-period-in-opposition-is-absurd/
Stephen Collins: Notion that Fine Gael would benefit from a period in ...
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Donnelly accused of 'crisis-driven response' at UHL: A visit by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to University Hospital Limerick has been described ...
rte.ie/news/regional/2024/0404/1441646-university-hospital-limerick-trolleys/
Donnelly accused of 'crisis-driven response' at UHL
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Harris completes steadfast journey to become Ireland's youngest premier: Simon Harris became Ireland's youngest ever prime minister on Tuesday
monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/harris-completes-steadfast-journey-to-become-ireland-s-youngest-premier-4584694
Harris completes steadfast journey to become Ireland's youngest ...
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Sinn Féin disputes claim united Ireland would cost €20bn over 20 years: The report said the cost to the British government of running Northern Ireland amounts to ...
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41367499.html
Sinn Féin disputes claim united Ireland would cost €20bn over 20 years
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Elaine Loughlin: Simon Harris will not be allowed to forget past failings: Opposition has already made it clear that his time in health will be a key point of ...
irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41370994.html
Elaine Loughlin: Simon Harris will not be allowed to forget past failings
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Donaldson charges a 'devastating revelation', says interim DUP leader: Gavin Robinson has been appointed interim party leader of the DUP following ...
irishtimes.com/video/politics/2024/03/30/donaldson-charges-a-devastating-revelation-says-interim-dup-leader/
Donaldson charges a 'devastating revelation', says interim DUP ...
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What is an Irish political party ardfheis and why does it matter?: University of Galway to host Simon Harris’ first ardfheis as Fine Gael leader ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/04/06/what-is-an-irish-political-party-ardfheis-and-why-does-it-matter/
What is an Irish political party ardfheis and why does it matter?
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‘If somebody had told me Martin McGuinness was a tout, I might have shot his accuser. I’m not so sure now’
independent.ie/irish-news/if-somebody-had-told-me-martin-mcguinness-was-a-tout-i-might-have-shot-his-accuser-im-not-so-sure-now/a1950487820.html
‘If somebody had told me Martin McGuinness was a tout, I might have shot ...
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Ireland has a new prime minister: Simon Harris: Simon Harris became Ireland's youngest ever prime minister on Tuesday, succeeding party colleague Leo Varakar ...
ctvnews.ca/world/ireland-has-a-new-prime-minister-simon-harris-1.6839381
Ireland has a new prime minister: Simon Harris
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No sign of him, say neighbours as Jeffrey Donaldson vanishes into vastness of London town
independent.ie/irish-news/no-sign-of-him-say-neighbours-as-jeffrey-donaldson-vanishes-into-vastness-of-london-town/a41415041.html
No sign of him, say neighbours as Jeffrey Donaldson vanishes into vastness ...
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Ireland wealth fund to divest from 6 Israeli companies in blow to relations: The amount of Ireland's divestment is relatively small, but it is part of the wider ...
al-monitor.com/originals/2024/04/ireland-wealth-fund-divest-6-israeli-companies-blow-relations
Ireland wealth fund to divest from 6 Israeli companies in blow to ...
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After Jeffrey Donaldson’s bombshell exit, what next for Northern Ireland’s DUP?: As party reels, new leader Gavin Robinson faces a U.K. election that could cost ...
politico.eu/article/ireland-jeffrey-donaldson-exit-arrest-robinson-fein-northern-ireland-dup-future-general-election/
After Jeffrey Donaldson’s bombshell exit, what next for Northern Ireland’s ...
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Sunak ‘Reassured’ Jeffrey Donaldson’s DUP Departure Won’t Derail NI Assembly: UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he’s confident the resignation of Democratic ...
bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-02/sunak-reassured-jeffrey-donaldson-s-dup-departure-won-t-derail-ni-assembly
Sunak ‘Reassured’ Jeffrey Donaldson’s DUP Departure Won’t Derail NI ...
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Simon Harris rejects calls to scrap hate speech legislation: Simon Harris rejected the demand from Sinn Féin, which said the bill is not fit for purpose
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41361103.html
Simon Harris rejects calls to scrap hate speech legislation
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 accused of ‘so much cowardice’ on hate speech Bill: News from the Irish Examiner's team of reporters
irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41362147.html
Sinn Féin accused of ‘so much cowardice’ on hate speech Bill
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Rose Dugdale, English heiress who joined Provisional IRA, dies aged 83: Sinn Féin politicians pay tribute to ‘true revolutionary’ who was involved in Russborough ...
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/18/rose-dugdale-english-heiress-who-joined-provisional-ira-dies/
Rose Dugdale, English heiress who joined Provisional IRA, dies aged 83
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Call for gardaí to be given powers to arrest landlords who illegally evict tenants
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41360788.html
Call for gardaí to be given powers to arrest landlords who illegally evict ...
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Sudden stampede to the right by our politicians can only benefit democracy: If Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is serious about being taoiseach after the next ...
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/03/29/sudden-stampede-to-the-right-by-our-politicians-can-only-benefit-democracy/
Sudden stampede to the right by our politicians can only benefit democracy
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Sinn Féin TD says he does not think any republican ‘shed a tear’ at death of garda-killer McAuley
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/27/sinn-fein-td-says-he-does-not-think-any-republican-shed-a-tear-at-death-of-garda-killer-mcauley/
Sinn Féin TD says he does not think any republican ‘shed a tear’ at death ...
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Sinn Féin defends call to scrap Hate Crime Bill: Sinn Féin has defended its call to scrap the Hate Crime Bill in the face of criticism that it had previously ...
rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0326/1440011-hate-crime-bill/
Sinn Féin defends call to scrap Hate Crime Bill
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Darragh O’Brien says homelessness ‘first thing’ on his mind each morning: In the wake of the figures, homelessness charities urged the Government to make social ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41363449.html
Darragh O’Brien says homelessness ‘first thing’ on his mind each morning
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Pearse Doherty criticises placing of tricolour on coffin of Pearse McAuley: Mr Doherty, a Donegal TD, said McAuley had nothing to do with Sinn Féin for 'many ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41361610.html
Pearse Doherty criticises placing of tricolour on coffin of Pearse McAuley
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Opposition restate calls for immediate general election: Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly has said it is now "very clear" that a general election is ...
rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0324/1439731-harris-reaction/
Opposition restate calls for immediate general election
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Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: Man removed from plane after row with DUP leader: Police said there were no arrests following the incident.
news.sky.com/story/sir-jeffrey-donaldson-man-removed-from-plane-after-row-with-dup-leader-13100669
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson: Man removed from plane after row with DUP leader
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Newton Emerson: Northern nationalism regards itself as left-wing, but on most issues its views are solidly centre-right
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/03/28/north-and-south-have-something-in-common-a-delusion-about-how-conservative-they-really-are/
Newton Emerson: Northern nationalism regards itself as left-wing ...
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Sinn Féin is this island’s best resourced political party, the beneficiary of a legacy of barbarism
irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/03/27/sinn-fein-is-this-islands-best-resourced-political-party-the-beneficiary-of-a-legacy-of-barbarism/
Sinn Féin is this island’s best resourced political party ...
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Elaine Loughlin: Opposition let themselves down with attacks on Leo Varadkar in the Dáil 
irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41359195.html
Elaine Loughlin: Opposition let themselves down with attacks on Leo ...
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Call for Govt to scrap HSE's recruitment freeze: Sinn Féin has called on the Government to scrap the HSE's recruitment freeze as part of the ...
rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0327/1440368-politics-ireland-health/
Call for Govt to scrap HSE's recruitment freeze
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A Tory boy? No one seriously believes Varadkar was ‘right wing’ any more: Who here remembers Margaret Thatcher, the Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams rhetorically ...
independent.ie/business/a-tory-boy-no-one-seriously-believes-varadkar-was-right-wing-any-more/a1665338438.html
A Tory boy? No one seriously believes Varadkar was ‘right wing’ any more
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Simon Harris rules out coalition with Sinn Féin as he puts his name forward to be next FG leader and taoiseach
irishtimes.com/politics/2024/03/21/simon-harris-puts-his-name-forward-to-be-next-fine-gael-leader/
Simon Harris rules out coalition with Sinn Féin as he puts his name ...
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Leo Varadkar: No scandal influenced decision to step down as Taoiseach: Leo Varadkar said his successor Simon Harris has 'a tough job' deciding who will stay in ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41362018.html
Leo Varadkar: No scandal influenced decision to step down as Taoiseach
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IRA killer Pearse McAuley found dead at Co Tyrone home: McAuley was sentenced in 1999 to 14 years in jail for manslaughter of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe
irishtimes.com/crime-law/2024/03/19/ira-killer-pearse-mcauley-found-dead-at-co-tyrone-home/
IRA killer Pearse McAuley found dead at Co Tyrone home
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Sinn Féin 'dominant' political party on social media in last two years: People Before Profit and the Social Democrats saw significant increases in ...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41363668.html
Sinn Féin 'dominant' political party on social media in last two ...
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Donaldson Resignation Will Prompt Fresh Questions for Dup and Powersharing: The deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland hinged on the backing of Sir ...
bloomberg.com/en/news/thp/2024-03-29/donaldson-resignation-will-prompt-fresh-questions-for-dup-and-powersharing
Donaldson Resignation Will Prompt Fresh Questions for Dup and Powersharing