Leo Varadkar doesn’t necessarily have to be “a little more humble” now that he’s clear in the investigation into the leak of a confidential new GP contract to a friend.
The current Tánaiste and the soon-to-be Taoiseach survived a shave made entirely by himself.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to press charges in the case after a lengthy Garda investigation. The probe hung over the Tánaiste, raising doubts as to whether he would indeed become Taoiseach again in December.
During their much-cited personal spat in the Dáil a few weeks ago, Sinn Féin’s financial spokesman Pearse Doherty chided the Tánaiste with a joke about the investigation.
“I really thought that if someone is judging the director of the prosecution as to whether he should be prosecuted under the corruption law, he would be a little more humble in his response.”
Varadkar responded with a look back at Doherty being prosecuted for “abusing and mistreating” a garda nearly a quarter of a century ago. The Tánaiste also threw the sink at Sinn Féin about the Republican movement’s own past, including murder, rape and tax evasion. Sinn Féin’s skeletons in the closet are far more terrifying than anything Varadkar or Fine Gael has done.
Yet the Tánaiste conferred moral authority with his conduct. The blame for this scandal rests firmly on his doorstep. The fact that he is not being prosecuted does not make his actions appropriate.
Responding to last night’s confirmation that he will not be charged, the Tánaiste said: “I have always maintained that the charges against me were false. I am pleased with the outcome of a very thorough investigation.”
The problem lies in his interpretation. He cannot rewrite history. He had to apologize for leaking a confidential document to a personal friend in an organization that was outside the official negotiations of a state contract. Hardly a shining example of transparency in the office.
The central claim of leaks is correct, as he himself admits. The Garda investigation and consideration by the DPP confirmed that his actions were not illegal or corrupt. The nickname ‘Leo the Leak’ remains.
The Tánaiste will make a further statement on the matter today and an element of remorse should not go amiss. His own words of November 2020, when this controversy arose, come to mind.
“It was a mistake and a mistake for which I accept full responsibility.
“I am sorry and I am sorry for the controversy and the annoyance that my actions have caused,” he said at the time.
Be that as it may in showing humility, the Tánaiste would do well to learn some lessons from the affair and ensure there are no similar mistakes.
Closing the file does remove a problem for the government or as the Tánaiste put it “a difficult period for all of us”. A pending prosecution would have rendered it implausible that Varadkar would become Taoiseach and end his leadership of Fine Gael. The devastating consequences would have left the party in crisis with a leadership vacuum to be filled.
Assuming the coalition lives on, the Taoiseach’s office will rotate from Fianna Fáil to Fine Gael in December, with Micheál Martin on the side. Now that the question about his research has been answered, it will certainly be Varadkar who replaces him for a second term as Taoiseach.
Attention is now turned to whom he will involve in the associated reshuffle in the cabinet. Fine Gael is still languishing in the polls and there is a hunger for a lineup refresh to take them to the next general election. De Tánaiste has talked about hating having to drop colleagues, but will have to show ruthlessness.
Helen McEntee, Varadkar’s protégé, is safe and likely to remain Attorney General. Then it’s a matter of whether any of the rest are too big to fail. Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe are experienced heavy hitters, but are constantly associated with roles in Europe or beyond. Varadkar staying on means their chances of becoming leader are gone.
Heather Humphreys has geography, gender and common sense in her favor.
Simon Harris has reason to be nervous right now. With no leadership vacancy to contest, the question is whether Varadkar wants to keep him on the biggest podium.
The end of speculation about Varadkar allows the government to focus on the urgent matters of the day: the cost of living crisis, the housing ‘disaster’ and health reform in the wake of Covid-19, together with economic challenges and climate change.
The focus can now be on delivering the budget at the end of September, brought forward to provide financial relief from inflation at an earlier timeframe.
Since last night, the majority of the coalition has disappeared. Outgoing Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh, a supporter of Varadkar in his Fine Gael leadership campaign, voted against the government over the mica recovery plan and has now lost the party whip.
The coalition now only has 79 TDs, but its Dáil majority is not in question, as it can still call on exiled members and independents.