A recent video of the Tánaiste in a Dublin nightclub was a breach of his privacy, the Taoiseach Micheal Martin has told Newstalk Breakfast.
It comes amid reports of disquiet among Fine Gael members over controversies surrounding party leader Leo Varadkar just days before he is due to become Taoiseach again.
A video of Minister Varadkar in a Dublin nightclub has been shared widely on social media since it emerged last week.
It has since been removed from the social media site Tiktok.
When asked about it by reporters on Wednesday, Minister Varadkar said it was “very much a personal matter”.
“It relates entirely to my private life and for those reasons, I don't want to comment on it," he said.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Micheál Martin agreed.
“I think, first of all, Leo Varadkar’s life, my life, everyone’s private life is their private life and I do not in any way shape or form condone any breach of that privacy,” he said.
“I think it is wrong, in my view, to be breaching that privacy in terms of filming people in a social context.
“I think that is wrong. The breach of privacy that is involved there.”
Leinster House
He added that he does not believe there is “the degree of concern that is being suggested” around Leinster house regarding Minister Varadkar’s judgement.
Minister Varadkar is due to take over as Taoiseach this Saturday under the agreement reached with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party after the last election.
Mr Martin refused to be drawn on reports he will move into the Foreign Affairs role when he steps down as Taoiseach – insisting final talks will not be held until later this week.
“I have to tell Leo first and Eamon Ryan,” he said.
“We are having discussions on this towards the end of the week; we want to avoid undue speculation and to focus in on the issues.”
Reshuffle
He said the focus should be on Government policies rather than roles.
“I think what is important is, apart altogether from personalities and who is going where or what, the policy is the key,” he said.
“The Programme for Government is the key. The three parties have a mandate from Dáil Éireann to implement a Programme for Government and we are determined to do that.
“This is Phase One of the Government coming to a close – it is half time so to speak and Phase Two now will emerge from the weekend and the focus has to be on delivery on issues like housing health reform, climate, education and childcare.”
You can listen back to the full interview here:
