Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the first opportunity I have, on a personal level I want to wish Leo Varadkar well as he moves on and to recognise his contribution during Covid-19, his defence of Maurice McCabe and his statesmanlike and extremely competent handling of Brexit.

However, we are now in a new political space and Leo Varadkar himself has opened that door. I am calling for a general election for the first time in this administration. I voted for the Tánaiste and for Leo Varadkar because the people spoke four years ago and I believe in stability, but we now have a faltering Government on housing, health, immigration, disability and the recent referendums. The last time I addressed the Tánaiste was at Leaders' Questions and I asked him about the issue of durable relationships. He told me all was well and there was no need to worry. Well, there was need to worry and while Fine Gael may need time to regroup, this country now needs a Government with a new mandate.

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