Ógra Fianna Fáil has called on Leo Varadkar to resign and accused him of “gross double standards” over Merriongate.
Fianna Fáil grassroots members are furious over Mr Varadkar’s attendance at the infamous Merrion Hotel garden party for 50 VIP guests last month.
And this has now been manifested in a demand from the official youth wing of the party, Ógra, for Taoiseach Micheál Martin to sack Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste, Mr Varadkar.
The Taoiseach has indicated he is satisfied with Mr Varadkar’s attendance at the gig organised by former independent minister, Katherine Zappone, to say goodbye to her friends.
Ms Zappone now lives in New York and was forced to turn down the offer of Special Envoy for the Irish Government at the UN after accusations her appointment was not above board.
This was compounded by news of the garden party she organised in the five star Merrion for 50 guests at a time when the hospitality industry was told by Fáilte Ireland six was the max allowed at any one event.
Mr Varadkar apologised last week, but there are many in Fianna Fáil that are still not happy with him.
Ógra Fianna Fáil has formally come out to express their dissatisfaction.
A spokesman for the Fianna Fáil youth division said: “Mr. Varadkar has undermined his own authority on matters of public health, but has also undermined fellow government ministers by association.
“Last year, Mr Varadkar was especially outspoken on the alleged impropriety of fellow politicians breaking guidelines in Clifden, County Galway.
“Why is such a gross double standard allowed in cases where Mr Varadkar has a personal interest?
“Ógra Fianna Fáil cannot reconcile the negligence of Mr. Varadkar with the very important role he holds in government.
“The Tánaiste's actions have undermined the integrity of our institutions at a time when trust in public health advice is a matter of life and death.
“The way he chose to address concerns risks scarring this government as one where the State works to serve one particular individual, rather than the public good.
“This undercuts faith in the government, and distracts from the good work our Fianna Fáil ministers are undertaking in their own portfolios.
“We have taken the time to assess the impact of recent events and we cannot in good conscience stand by as Mr Varadkar courts controversy, and believe it would be a mistake that a man with this kind of temperament be made Taoiseach in December 2022.
“In order to serve the country well and to regain trust that has been lost, Mr Varadkar needs to be held accountable for his role in damaging the government.
“It is only through proper accountability that we may regain that trust once again, and it is on this basis that we are calling on Leo Varadkar to resign.”
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