Irish Examiner view: Two clarifications in one week for Varadkar

A period of emulating some of his more taciturn predecessors surely beckons

Yesterday, Mr Varadkar issued an apology for comments on rural Ireland, though that is not the only controversy he has been involved in this week as a result of past statements. Picture: Fran Veale/Julien Behal Photography

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026 - 01:00

Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been in the headlines in recent days, though in the firing line might be a more accurate description.

Readers will be aware of his comments on urban and rural Ireland, when he said people in rural Ireland were quick to declare themselves the “real workers ... the ones paying all the bills ... feeding the country”. He then added that people in urban Ireland needed to say: “Actually, that’s not the case, we’re the ones paying all the bills.”