Local TDs speak out after Varadkar announces resignation
Two deputies told The Liberty why they object to the coalition appointing a new taoiseach
TDs for Dublin South Central – Aengus Ó’Snodaigh, of Sinn Fein, and Joan Collins, of Independents4Change – have called for a general election following Leo Varadkar’s resignation.
On Wednesday, March 20th, Leo Varadkar announced he would be stepping down as leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach as soon as a replacement is appointed.
Ó Snodaigh reacted saying “I would rather be welcoming the resignation of this government and a general election, than the Lanigan’s Ball of taoisigh that characterises this coalition.”
Collins responded in the same vein saying, “I’m calling for an immediate general election.”
“I think it’s pathetic that Micheál Martin and Eamon Ryan are happy to let Fine Gael, who came third in the last general election, decide the next Taoiseach. The people should decide who leads us,” said Collins.
With Bríd Smith offering the same view on Twitter/X, only the fourth and last remaining Dublin South Central TD, Patrick Costello of the Greens – who are part of the current coalition – has not commented on the situation.
Both Collins and Ó Snodaigh went on to criticise Fine Gael and the Government.
“This Government has failed what little mandate they had. They left people unable to get a home, doctors’ appointments and other basic public services,” said Collins.
“Leo Varadkar and his government has presided over a continual increase in homelessness, growing hospital waiting lists, increased overcrowding in A+Es, a cost-of-living crisis, young Irish people emigrating again in droves,” said Ó Snodaigh.
Both TDs are welcoming the resignation with Ó Snodaigh saying, “It is time to go, Leo and the rest of this government. The people want change.”
“I said publicly on Facebook, ‘Good riddance Leo’ – it’s nothing personal it’s political,” said Collins.
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