Ógra Fianna Fáil has slammed Fine Gael Tánaiste Leo Varadkar over his attendance of an LGBT music festival, in England after his government banned similar festivals in Ireland.
The remarks were made in a tweet yesterday afternoon.
“Tánaiste Leo Varadkar’s trip to a music festival in England is yet another example of gross misjudgment & double standards,” the Fianna Fáil youth wing said.
“This time, it serves as a massive kick in the teeth to the entertainment industry. Elected representatives should lead by example. Is this leadership?”
The tweet also included a screenshot of the Tánaiste’s statement from last August, where Varadkar said that “Funerals, christenings, weddings, family holidays and other really important family occasions have been foregone to protect each other and the most vulnerable. As representatives we should try to lead by example.”
The statement was juxtaposed with a photo of the Tánaiste at the one-day UK music event.
The festival in question, the Mighty Hoopla, is an annual LGBT event which organisers describe as “The UK’s most inclusive and fabulous pop festival.”
— Mighty Hoopla (@mightyhoopla) September 6, 2021
Controversially, Varadkar’s government recently refused to allow the Electric Picnic festival to go ahead in Ireland, to the dismay of many in the entertainment industry.
Leo Varadkar criticised for attending music festival in London on Electric Picnic weekend https://t.co/djcfSQOBT1
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) September 5, 2021
Fianna Fáil’s youth wing has previously lashed out at the party’s coalition partner, calling on the Tánaiste to resign.
“The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar must resign!” they wrote in August during the recent Merriongate scandal.
“Representatives should lead by example. But why is such a gross double standard allowed in cases where Mr. Varadkar has a personal interest? #ResignLeo”
‼️ The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar must resign‼️
The Tánaiste is right. Representatives should lead by example. But why is such a gross double standard allowed in cases where Mr. Varadkar has a personal interest? #ResignLeo pic.twitter.com/sawp2cBeos
— Ógra Fianna Fáil (@OgraFiannaFail) August 12, 2021
The group also accused Varadkar of “hiding” over the issue of health passes for hospitality, calling on him to reverse the decision and take “full responsibility.”
🚨 Ógra calls on the government to reverse last night’s decision and open indoor hospitality to everyone 🚨
An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, the Minister responsible for enterprise has been hiding over this issue & must take full responsibility.
For more👇https://t.co/ycTfy3aL5x pic.twitter.com/vq0NXl1MhV
— Ógra Fianna Fáil (@OgraFiannaFail) July 15, 2021
However, some Twitter users criticised Ógra Fianna Fáil, arguing that their party had not done enough to push back against Fine Gael policies.
“Yet FF still remain in government with him,” said one user.
“If FF had balls it would call for Varadkar to resign or they’d withdraw from government. But they won’t because FF is part of the problem.”
Yet FF still remain in government with him. If FF had balls it would call for Varadkar to resign or they'd withdraw from government. But they won't because FF is part of the problem.
— Johnny Stuka (@tierney_jp) September 6, 2021
“What is your mighty leader going to do about it?” asked another.
What is your mighty leader going to do about it?
— Sean O'Sé (@SeanOSeIreland) September 5, 2021
“Some facts”, said yet another.
“Your Taoiseach cannot lay a hand on any FG minister. Your very presence in Gov is at Leo’s behest. At the last electoral contest in this country your party got 4.4% of the vote. FF came in 5th in first preference vote.”
Some facts. Your Taoiseach cannot lay a hand on any FG minister. Your very presence in Gov is at Leo's behest. At the last electoral contest in this country your party got 4.4% of the vote. FF came in 5th in first preference vote.
— Jim Morrissey (@JimMorr46622225) September 6, 2021