Coveney backed Bailey in swing scandal

Leo Varadkar has decided not to remove the Fine Gael party whip from ‘swing-gate’ TD Maria Bailey following appeals from the Tánaiste, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

It has been confirmed Mr Varadkar intended to kick Ms Bailey out of the parliamentary party, as well as removing her from the €9,500-a-year position as chair of the Oireachtas housing committee, and had made his views known to a number of senior party figures.