‘I’m not woke’ says Taoiseach

Talking in Washington DC on Saturday night, Mr Varadkar hit again at claims by former tánaiste and No campaigner Michael McDowell in addition to others that the Authorities was focusing an excessive amount of on ‘woke’ points as a substitute of insurance policies that impact the common voter.

“No, I believe individuals thought of the proposition that was put to them and so they listened to the arguments and so they determined to vote towards it. It would not learn throughout the rest,” he mentioned.

Requested if he thought of himself woke, the Superb Gael chief mentioned: “I do not assume so. However I’ve by no means actually been absolutely positive what woke and anti-woke means.

“Like, individuals who say they’re anti woke, simply appear to be towards no matter new thought or new idea is, nevertheless it’s standard on the time, however no is the brief reply.”

Mr Varadkar additionally mentioned Hamas’s terrorist assault on Israel on October 7 meant the group – an EU-designated terrorist organisation which has managed Gaza since 2007 – can’t be a part of any future administration within the area.

However he additionally mentioned Israel can not completely occupy Gaza after a ceasefire or peace deal is reached.

“I believe an important and most pressing factor is the necessity for a ceasefire, in order that the killing stops, in order that the hostages can go dwelling, so the meals and medication can get into the individuals who want it in Gaza,” he mentioned.

“As soon as that occurs, we’d hope that turns into potential to construct a extra everlasting ceasefire. I believe everybody agrees that Hamas cannot be a part of the governing of any Palestinian territory given what’s occurred on October 7.

“We do not imagine that it needs to be reoccupied by Israel. We definitely do not imagine it needs to be resettled by Israel. We imagine it needs to be handed again over to Palestinian civilian management.”