The wages of spin: Has anything changed in Leo Varadkar's first 100 days?

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

In the Dáil before the summer recess, Mr Varadkar confirmed details of his expansive operation during a debate with Micheál Martin, Brendan Howlin, and Gerry Adams.

He confirmed that the Government Information Service is comprised of the Government press secretary (Feargal Purcell, whose salary is €115,431); his soon-to-be replacement Nick Miller is also there; the assistant Government press secretary Sarah Meade (€82,587); two assistant principal officers, one of whom is assigned to the Pravda-esque website MerrionStreet.ie; four press officers at higher executive officer level, three communications and media