Fine Gael senator Seán Kyne has slammed his former party leader Leo Varadkar for being “totally unhelpful and totally divisive,” following controversial remarks from the ex-Taoiseach about rural Ireland.
Last week, Mr Varadkar said that workers from urban Ireland were “the ones paying all the bills” while people in rural Ireland were “the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits.”
However the former Taoiseach’s remarks have been blasted by Senator Kyne, who is running as the Fine Gael candidate in the upcoming bye-election in Galway West.
Reacting to the comments while speaking to the Advertiser, the senator from Moycullen said, “Totally unhelpful and totally divisive, I absolutely don’t agree with him.
“Look, I’ve obviously worked with Leo and like us all from time to time, maybe he says things that he’d been better off not saying. And I think this is one of those occasions.
“It’s hard sometimes for people in Dublin. How do you define rural Ireland? Are you talking about anywhere outside of Dublin? Are you talking about anywhere outside of the five cities? Or where are you talking about?”
Senator Kyne also said that there was “great unity” between the city and country in Galway West and that food production was an important part of the Irish economy.
He said, “Food production, food consumption, is hugely important to the economic well being of the country and this constituency as well. We’d do well for everyone to remember that as well, including the former Taoiseach.
“I think that rural Ireland certainly plays its part, and it’s important to have vibrant rural communities as well.”
The senator was also asked if the remarks from his former party leader where having an effect on his own candidacy in the Galway West bye-election.
He said, “To be honest, it hasn’t really been raised but those are my comments if it is raised.”
Senator Kyne previously held the position of Government Chief Whip and served in several roles as Minister of State, including Minister for the Gaeltacht, during Leo Varadkar’s tenure as Taoiseach.
The Moycullen man was initially appointed by Mr Varadkar to the Seanad as a Taoiseach’s nominee in 2020, following the loss of his Dáil seat in Galway West in that year’s general election.
At the time, the then-Taoiseach said of Mr Kyne, “He has never been afraid to take principled positions and he performed his duties as Chief Whip in the previous Dáil with exceptional tact and ability.”
