Socks and PR do not make a Taoiseach

LEO Varadkar made his name as a politician who shot from the hip. While this might be admirable in a young man rising through the ranks, it is very unwise in a leader. Perhaps he still is getting used to being Taoiseach and therefore hasn’t developed the necessary filter between what he thinks and what comes out of his mouth. Certainly, his expression of concern over garda evidence in the Jobstown trial showed very poor judgment, calling into question as he did the integrity of the entire force, which largely is made up of already demoralised, but decent and hardworking men and women.

It also raises a more serious question. If he has so little faith in An Garda Síochána, how then has he previously expressed confidence in Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan?

If, as is widely anticipated, the Public Accounts Committee investigating the finances at Templemore Garda Training College is severely critical of her in its forthcoming report, then perhaps this rhetoric has a more political motivation and is designed to create distance between the new Taoiseach and the commissioner so that he cannot be tarnished by association. But attacking the entire force, when there was absolutely no need to do so, is a bizarre way for the leader of the party of law and order to go about it.

Not so long ago, when Sinn Féin called for Nóirín O’Sullivan’s sacking, Mr Varadkar warned them to respect due process.

Now the DPP’s office reveals concerns that the Taoiseach’s unwise intervention could threaten future trials. Surely he has made it inevitable that there will have to be an inquiry, even if, as he says, he is not personally in favour of it.

He has other concerns too, as a poll today reveals that Fine Gael has flatlined.

Mr Varadkar will have to learn quickly that references to Love Actually in 10 Downing Street, socks and photo ops with sliotars do not make him popular. A Leo bounce will come only with the muscular decision making that has been sorely lacking for the past two years, laws and muchneeded reforms that benefit us all.