Varadkar sidesteps first hurdles as he fails to give deadlines

JAMES REILLY’S ultimate health service goal — at least in his own eyes — was reform, but his replacement Leo Varadkar has started with a far simpler target: realism.

Speaking to RTÉ in his first in-depth interview since taking office, the new health minister underlined the difference between the approaches in the clearest way possible.

During a 30-minute discussion, Mr Varadkar said his predecessor is “someone who achieved a lot of things people don’t give him credit for”.