Varadkar’s hurler on the ditch act is not leadership

IT was perhaps appropriate the ‘Claire Byrne Live’ abortion referendum debate took place just after the start of the All-Ireland hurling championship. This was real senior hurling as a lacklustre referendum campaign suddenly had a shot of passion. The whooping and hollering from the audience was tasteless on such a sensitive issue but it is up to the audience at home to decide if it impacts upon their vote.

Mary Lou McDonald kept the Yes side afloat as she illustrated the dramatic difference between her debating ability and that of her predecessor Gerry Adams.

Dr Peter Boylan appeared shell-shocked by having opponents question his stance and Orla O’Connor of the National Women’s Council was almost absent under the high balls into the box from the Iona Institute’s Maria Steen and obstetrician Dr John Monaghan.

Where was the Government, which is putting forward the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment?

Health Minister Simon Harris will line out next week. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is sitting out these debates. His predecessor Enda Kenny often did the same and suffered the consequences.

Mr Varadkar will get a few hard shoulders when he appears on ‘Today with Sean O’Rourke’ on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning. But if the Taoiseach wants the public to vote for a proposal, he should be willing to get out there and persuade people of the merits of his argument.

Being a hurler on the ditch is not a leadership trait.