Alison O'Connor: Leo's difficult transition to second in command

Leo Varadkar's need to be the centre of attention has been a thorn in his successor's side — but could it come back to haunt him?

Party leaders Eamon Ryan, Leo Varadkar, and Micheál Martin at Dublin Castle. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

It was a year that brought us many things, not least our first Fianna Fáil Taoiseach in almost a decade. What better way to end it than to evaluate his performance? Logic might dictate this course of action, however the political imperative points towards throwing an eye instead over his Jack-in-the-Box Tánaiste. So let’s just accede to that Varadkar desire to be perpetually at the centre of attention. Let's make this all about Leo.

It will shortly be six months since Leo moved from the position of leading the country to the role of second in command. But even those without any formal training in psychology would feel safe in speculating he is still acclimatising to this inferior position in the pecking order. How else to explain the constant 'me, me, me' need for attention? It doesn’t have to be the good kind either, just the sort that keeps your name constantly in the headlines, or #trending on social media.