Varadkar’s Communications Unit warns change may feel like ‘death’

Leo Varadkar’s new spin unit is operating at the heart of government, answering parliamentary questions, co-ordinating events in the Taoiseach’s constituency, and even helping set up the rural affairs department.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is living in “some Russian creation” or “Trumpland” if he believes his strategic communications unit (SCU) can buy the news without any consequences whatsoever.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar could be hauled before a powerful Dáil committee to answer questions over the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) controversy as soon as next week under plans to be finalised this morning.

Leo Varadkar has conceded the €5m strategic communications unit (SCU) may be gone next year as he accused the opposition of hurling “venomous” slurs at him and his staff over the unit.

Independent Alliance ministers have reacted with anger at what they see as their deliberate exclusion from the controversial newspaper ‘advertorials’ by Fine Gael.

The Government’s most senior civil servant and the head of the strategic communications unit (SCU) must face Dáil committee questions over claims the decision to pay for Ireland 2040 “advertorial” in newspapers has blurred the line between news and spin.

Perhaps in their efforts to unveil an overarching, big-picture plan of what Ireland will be like in 20 years time, Government simply overlooked the finer points of the here and now, writes Elaine Loughlin.

Leo Varadkar’s €5m Strategic Communications Unit has been branded a “dangerous development” which was politically driven.

In the aftermath of Budget 2018, it wasn’t the big ticket items in health, housing or social protection that got the Dáil in a tizzy.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's €5 million Strategic Communications Unit has been branded a “dangerous development” which was politically driven, the Dail has heard

Leo Varadkar has a lot of help in shaping his image. The tax-funded resources dedicated to ‘spinning’ on his behalf are considerable.

Young people who take part in Gaisce are happier, more hopeful, and have better self-esteem, according to a new report into the initiative.

In addition to the tens of thousands of attendees, thousands of start-ups, and hundreds of investors, this year’s Web Summit will bring more than €100m in revenue to the Dublin economy over the next three days.

There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.

Some of the world's top 'bloggers' will attend a major conference in Dublin from today.

Sweeping panoramic views ofIreland’s countryside have been replaced by cartoon characters as part of Fáilte Ireland’s new TV campaign to entice Irish people to holiday at home in 2013.

A businessman who began supporting a suicide prevention charity after appearing on television has been named philanthropist of the year.

A businessman who began supporting a suicide prevention charity after appearing on television has been named Philanthropist of the Year today.

GET your spatulas at the ready, put the special sauce on show and, whatever you do, hide the pop-tarts.

A MILLIONAIRE with a background in global travel found a second home on Cork’s Shandon Street as an undercover benefactor.

SATURDAY

RURAL entrepreneurs and farmers from Monaghan have been urged to submit their inspiring business ideas for the 2010/11 JFC Innovation Awards, with a prize fund worth €44,000.

THE volcanic ash cloud has at least two silver linings.

Tourism is hotting up under the volcanic ash cloud as Irish holidaymakers swap Barcelona for Ballybunion, it was claimed today.

FÁILTE Ireland has admitted that the tourism market is highly dependent on domestic holidaymakers for business.

SCHOOLS are being encouraged to avoid the hassle of overseas trips and bring students instead on educational and activity breaks at home as part of a Government effort to boost domestic tourism.

The medieval streets of Galway city are being officially rebranded in a tourist drive which industry experts are looking to adopt in towns and cities around the country, it emerged today.

The Irish tourist board is urging people to holiday in Ireland this year.

Tourism chiefs today launched a campaign to persuade more people to holiday at home this year with the promise of great value and convenience.

There is growing concern in tourism circles here over the strength of the euro.

A NUMBER of students said they were a bit taken aback by questions on yesterday afternoon’s higher level Junior Certificate English paper as they were different from previous years.

TRANSFORMNG ideas into new businesses was the main theme of the first ever Teagasc Rural Entrepreneurship conference held in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The aim was to assist and guide people with new business ideas to set up their own enterprise.

Fáilte Ireland has appointed its first ever director of regional development in response to concerns about a lack of support for tourism in the regions.

OUT of the bland box of suburbia where I am quartered in Galway I sped with glee towards the bucks fizz sparkle of Ballybrit.

The West of Ireland is expecting a €60m bumper bonus this week as over a hundred thousand people set-off for the legendary Galway Races.

Ernst & Young has announced the Irish shortlist for the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Programme.

THE tearing down of trade barriers with eastern and central Europe offers huge opportunities to Irish business.

DUST down the shades and find that old sun cap because there’s a scorching summer on the way — at least that’s what the ice cream men believe.

WE'VE got the rest of Europe licked when it comes to ice cream sales.