Cross party support for Leo Varadkar

Cross party support has continued to flow-in for Health Minister Leo Varadkar after publicly coming out as gay.

Tánaiste Joan Burton, who is a constituency rival in Dublin West as well as a Cabinet colleague of the Fine Gael TD, praised his personal announcement.

“I am absolutely full of admiration for the way he handled what was presumably a very challenging interview in human terms.”

The reaction to Mr Varadkar’s statement has been overwhelmingly positive.

Human rights campaigner Senator David Norris said the minister would now be a role model.

“Gay people, certainly of my generation and I think even still, have a lack of firm and authoritative and good and positive role models.

“And I think it’s very encouraging for a young person coming to terms with their sexuality to see someone who commands the respect of the public and his political colleagues who is intelligent and clear and direct,” Mr Norris told RTÉ.

Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin said the revelation should not impact on any future leadership bid by Mr Varadkar. “I’d like to think we’re at a point in our society where we have debunked all myths to do with people’s capability of doing a job.

“You can do a job regardless of whether you’re man or a woman, regardless of your creed, your race or your sexual orientation.”