Leo’s brief is to resuscitate Fine Gael ahead of election

NEW Health Minister Leo Varadkar intends to focus most of his attention on one patient that has suffered a nasty fall recently — Fine Gael’s poll rating.

In an opening statement of intent that was big on retreat and light on forward-thinking, Mr Varadkar left little doubt that his priority is getting through the next election.

In a show of the bluffness that has been his stock-in-trade, Mr Varadkar said he was put in the post to “aid the Government’s re-election, if I can at least steady the ship, if not turn it around.”