Varadkar to McDonald: You remind me of Marine Le Pen

The Taoiseach has likened Sinn Féin deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, to French far-right leader Marine Le Pen during heated exchanges in the Dáil.

During leaders’ questions, Ms McDonald accused Leo Varadkar and his ministers of abandoning struggling families who she said were forced to pay as much as a second mortgage in childcare costs.

Her criticisms drew a strong response from Mr Varadkar, who delivered a stinging rebuke. The Taoiseach accused her party of copping out of government in both North and South, and slammed its continued failure to take its seats in Westminster.