Cringing comments have implications

The Taoiseach’s extraordinary boast on Capitol Hill in Washington that, as Tourism Minister, he made representations on behalf of Donald Trump in relation to Doonbeg Golf Course needs urgent explanation on a number of fronts.

First of all, Mr Varadkar must be aware that, as our country’s representative while in Washington, he should at all times retain the dignity accorded his position. An attempt to cravenly ingratiate himself with President Trump or any other world leader is not the way to go about it.