Leo Varadkar ‘shafted’ by Enda Kenny as chaos marks government formation

Leo Varadkar was seen as the major loser in Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s new Cabinet, given his demotion to the Department of Social Protection.

After 70 days and on the fourth attempt, Mr Kenny was yesterday re-elected Taoiseach in the Dáil, by a margin of 59 votes to 49, thus becoming the first Fine Gael leader to do so in history.

The formation of the new Government yesterday was marked by chaos as the deal with the Independent Alliance and the rural TDs was on the verge of collapse, minutes before the Dáil vote was scheduled.