RTE Late Late Show fans praised host Patrick Kielty for pressing Leo Varadkar on some tough questions during a candid chat on the show.
The former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader appeared on tonight’s Late Late Show to discuss his shock decision to resign last month and his legacy.
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And following the chat fans of the show went to social media to give their view of the discussion.
Mr Varadkar shared that he had realised that there was a “need for reset” in Fine Gael, but the decision to step down was a hard decision.
“I nearly chickened out the night before,” he told host Patrick Kielty.
Coming to the conclusion that he was no longer the right person for the job, the first person he told about the decision was his partner Matt.
“We [he and Matt] had been talking about it, he was the first person. It’s not a decision you can tell too many people.”
“You either die, lose or resign, the question is whether it’s voluntary or involuntary.”
Leo’s resignation came almost two weeks after two referenda proposed by the Government were defeated, and as 11 members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party said they would not contest the next election.
Asked whether he thinks he was a good taoiseach, he said that will be for others to judge in the fullness of time.
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He said: “It’s too soon I think to make those kind of conclusions. You have to see what comes what comes next over the next three, four or five, six years to know for sure.”
Asked what he regretted, Mr Varadkar said he felt the government had been too cautious in 2011 following the financial crash.
He said: “The economy bounced back way quicker than we thought … and we held back on some spending decisions, and we held back on some investment decisions. A lot of the new houses you see being built now, or some of the new transport improvements that are about to come online, could have happened five years ago had we known what we know now.
“The progress that we’re now seeing could have been much further along and then you would see a better situation with housing, a better situation with health. But that’s hindsight and hindsight is 20/20.”
Following his chat live on air, the public shared their thoughts, praising host Patrick for not not shying away from important topics.
Host praised
One fan said: “Paddy Kielty is good at lulling people into a false sense of security so he can ask them a difficult question and he actually listens to the answers.”
Another said: “Patrick has become a very accomplished interviewer.”
A third fan said: “In fairness to Kielty, a good series of questions, each highlighting some of the failures of the Government and Leo Varadkar.
“Interesting how Kielty does this in a calm but inquisitive manner. Leaving Leo the space to reply. The replies aren’t great.”
‘PR exercise’
However, not everyone felt that the interview was tough.
One reaction said: “That’s right. You’ve just watched 20 minutes of Leo Varadkar advertising a book that he hasn’t even written yet.”
A another said: “Another cushy PR exercise RTE interview.”
A third viewer said: “Varadker’s mother could hardly have given him an easier interview.”
On a lighter note, there were a good few Twitter users who couldn’t help but comment on the TD’s thoughts on Kylie Minogue headlining this year’s Electric Picnic.
When asked by Patrick if he planned to be a roadie at the festival, Leo joked: “I should be so lucky.”
An RTE parody account quipped: “BREAKING: Leo Varadkar reveals that he stepped down as Taoiseach so he could see Kylie Minogue at Electric Picnic.”
Another fan joked: “Leo Varadkar going on the Late Late tonight to reveal he resigned to work as EP lineup curator.”
