TAKING CHARGE OF LEADER’S QUESTIONS

AFTER years of insipid performances by Enda Kenny, the dream of Fine Gael is that Leo will dominate the Dáil.

In fairness, when it comes to taking on Micheál Martin, Leo is somewhat compromised by their special relationship. But he also needed to put down a marker that in future debates the Fine Gael leader will not be a weak link.

Last week, Varadkar started from the weak position Máire Whelan left him in. But while he managed to survive, it was a victory due to the faults of Fianna Fáil rather than his own virtues.

Varadkar did perform sufficiently well on the back foot to suggest he will, on better days give Micheál, Gerry and Brendan plenty of it. He was helped by a hysterical performance from Martin with his ‘you’re no Frank Clarke’ diatribe.