Leo’s belief in a better society

A question has been posed in recent days as regards whether Leo Varadkar will buy into the principles of a just society as taoiseach, while other commentators such as Senator Lynn Ruane have attempted to criticise him on a similar score. However, I wonder whether Ms Ruane and others have in fact reviewed Mr Varadkar’s chapter on ‘Building a Better Society’ in the freshly released ‘Taking Ireland Forward’ policy document before making this judgment?

On education, it is stated that “we can break down barriers that leave people caught in the margins by building pathways to fulfilling individual potential and lifting communities”. On health, a “vigorous public health agenda” that is patient-centred and outcome-driven is to be pursued. Additionally, it is outlined that resources will be prioritised following a pledged ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities later this year.

On housing, crucially, there is a commitment to introduction of taxation on properties that are habitable but unoccupied for more than two years in areas of high housing demand. This measure, similar to one introduced by the Socialist Jospin administration and later enhanced by the more rightwing de Villepin administration in France, has been promoted by the Peter McVerry Trust (among others) as potentially the most significant ordinance that could be availed of to release vacant properties back into the property market for sale or rental. Ms Ruane has sponsored the Derelict and Vacant Sites Bill in the Seanad in a similar vein, and so I expect that she should welcome this commitment.

It is clear that Mr Varadkar presents a distinctive and dynamic pro-enterprise agenda, but it should be emphasised that the core tenets of supporting a better society are also entirely evident within his policy platform. Cllr John Kennedy Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin