Fine Gael leader outlines lessons learned during 12 years in government, preparing to take over as Irish premier next month

Leo Varadkar, the leader of Fine Gael, has stood by his government’s record as he prepares to assume the role of Taoiseach again next month. Under the terms of a coalition agreement with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, Varadkar will take over from Micheál Martin, marking the beginning of his second term as Ireland’s prime minister.

Addressing the media in Athlone ahead of his party’s Ard Fheis on Friday evening, Varadkar reflected on his 12 years in government, emphasising that he has learned to expect the unexpected. He pointed to global crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine, and the financial crash, noting how these events have shaped his leadership approach.

“What you need in any country is a tested party that can respond to crises, build resilience, and ensure that people’s livelihoods are protected no matter the circumstances,” Varadkar remarked. “Our focus must be on providing security for people during difficult times.”

The Fine Gael leader acknowledged the ongoing challenges in housing, healthcare, and justice. However, he also highlighted significant progress made over the past decade, particularly in transforming the Irish economy.

“When we entered government 11-12 years ago, we were facing mass unemployment, with many forced to emigrate in search of work, and our public finances were out of control,” Varadkar stated. “Fast forward to today, and we have full employment, rising incomes, lower taxes, and a growing economy. Ireland now offers opportunities that didn’t exist before.”

He concluded by affirming the government’s accomplishments: “We stand by our record and are confident that we’ve delivered for the Irish people.”