LAST UPDATE | 16 Mar 2023
TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR HAS apologised for what he described as an ‘ill-judged off the cuff remark” about his time as an intern in Washington DC.
Speaking at the launch of the Washington Ireland Program Class of 2023, the Taoiseach recalled his time as an intern in Washington in the last year of Bill Clinton’s Presidency.
Varadkar reportedly said it was a time when some parents would have had “cause for concern” about what would happen to interns in Washington.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach:
“At the Washington Ireland Program event today the Taoiseach was reminiscing about his time in Washington DC as an intern 23 years ago. He made an ill-judged off the cuff remark which he regrets. He apologises for any offence caused to anyone concerned.”
Varadkar took part in the Washington Ireland intern programme experience in 2000 when he was 21 years old and in his third year at Trinity College Dublin. He was based in Washington DC.
Earlier today, the Taoiseach had met with former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton at Georgetown University for an event called “Women at the Helm”, focusing on the role women played in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Bill Clinton’s second term was dominated by the scandal that he had sexual relations with a young White House intern called Monica Lewinsky.
In his speech at the event, the Taoiseach spoke about how he had been placed in former Congressman Jack Quinn’s office in the House of Representatives.
“Capitol Hill along with the other organisations the 2023 students will be in, are great training grounds for any young person hoping to enter the world of politics, public affairs and leadership.
“One of the reasons I believe the Washington Ireland Program works is because it recognises the importance of broadening perspectives – of how valuable that can be in fostering leadership, in nurturing the art of compromise, and in honing the political skills needed to make a difference.”
Following the controversial comments, the Taoiseach attended the St Patrick’s Day reception at the new Irish ambassador’s residence on Massachusetts Avenue, worth over €15 million, but which is being rented out by the State.
No reference was made to the remarks made earlier.
Varadkar’s partner, Dr Matt Barrett who arrived into Washington DC yesterday, was also in attendance this evening. Both Varadkar and Barrett will have breakfast tomorrow at Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence, before going to the White House.
Other well-known political faces were in attendance, such as the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson and Northern Ireland Special Envoy for Economic Affairs Joe Kennedy III.
While guest of tonight’s reception were keen to get photos with the Taoiseach, there was another man – an actor – under considerable demand.
Richard Schiff, known as Toby Ziegler from the hit US TV programme The West Wing, as well as Melissa Fitzgerald, who played the character Carol Fitzpatrick, were also at this evening’s reception.
The Taoiseach is due to meet the US president tomorrow.
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