Butler backs Varadkar in Fine Gael leadership race

Fine Gael Meath West Senator, Ray Butler, is supporting Social Protection Minister, Leo Varadkar, in the Fine Gael leadership race.

Follwoing Saturday evenings close of nominations, two candidates were confirmed to be in the race - Mr Varadkar and Housing and Local Government Minister, Simon Coveney.

Over the weekend, the momentum swung towards Minister Varadkar, who has the majority of the Parliamentary Party as well as the cabinet and junior ministers supporting him. However, councillors and grassroots members also have a say, and the next week will see four different hustings meetings around the country as the candidates go on the road in the short campaign.

Senator Butler said that he, along with eight of his colleagues from Seanad Éireann 'were delighted to declare their full support for Leo Varadkar'.

He said: 'Having worked with Leo for the past six years, I believe he is the right man to lead our party and this country through the necessary changes required. Today's Ireland is vastly different and constantly in flux. Leo is a decisive, modern man of today who not only possesses the ability to listen and absorb the requirements of society today, he also possesses the determination and conviction to take the necessary steps to bring about those changes.
Throughout my political career, I have been renowned for my continuous campaigning for equal status and rights for the self-employed. As Seanad spokesperson for Social Protection, I have worked very closely with Leo in relation to the rights or lack thereof of the self-employed in Ireland and who are the backbone of our local communities who have been completely forgotten about for many years.
'Leo listened and took on board the anomalies of our unjust system as it stood then and in Budget 2017 he commenced addressing these anomalies and delivered initial changes by increasing earned income tax credits for the self-employed using the benefits of our strengthening economy; one of the first steps along the road towards tax equalisation to match the PAYE credit by 2018.
'He also extended the Treatment Benefit scheme to approximately 450,000 self-employed people and their dependent spouses for the very first time. This includes small business owners, farmers, tradespeople, freelancers, contractors and professionals. He has also committed to continue to bring further benefits later this year to protect self-employed people who fall ill offering the option of applying for invalidity pension for the first time.
Senator Butler concluded: 'Leo does not only support change, Leo is change and the change our party and our country needs for this modern era.'