Varadkar launches attack on Sinn Féin

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has launched a stinging attack on Sinn Féin, claiming the party, if put in government, would turn a blind eye to criminality and rule with fear in a “coalition of extremes”.

The Fine Gael minister suggested that such a Sinn Féin government could be propped up by “dissident” Fianna Fáil TDs and would destroy businesses.

Delivering a wide-ranging speech at the Institute of Directors in Dublin, Mr Varadkar warned voters of supporting parties with unstable political visions.

“What we need to be worried about is not the results of the election, but what happens next. It is the instability of the political visions being presented that is the real danger. But we should be worried about what kind of coalition of extremes would be formed afterwards between Sinn Féin, right- and left-wing independents, those on the far left, and possibly even some dissident Fianna Fáilers.”

Mr Varadkar’s comments come after Fine Gael used its national conference last weekend to effectively launch its re-election campaign, where ministers openly criticised opposition parties

While Fine Gael is on 24% according to the latest Red C poll, Sinn Féin is not far behind on 21%.

“Instead of producing a programme for government which would provide stability for five years, we would get a programme for self-interest, with policies being traded for votes, and national interest sacrificed for local and selfish concerns,” Mr Varadkar said.

He added: “There would be no independent thinking in a Sinn Féin-led government, and not even groupthink. There would just be one thought, one rule. And that would be the rule of fear.”

Sinn Féin said Mr Varadkar’s remarks showed “a deep level of disrespect to the huge numbers of people who have indicated that they would vote for them in the next election”.

Sinn Féin senator David Cullinane said: “This Government is no longer fit to rule and is increasingly attacking parties and individuals with silly nonsense like this instead of defending their own record in what are clearly the final days of their term.”