Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane has received criticism for comments he made about Tanaiste Leo Varadkar ‘trying on fashion shoes’ during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Waterford TD took to Twitter last night to criticise the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for participating in a photo shoot to accompany the announcement that applications are now open for the Restart Grant Plus Scheme.
The Restart Grant Plus Scheme was devised as part of the Government’s €7.4 billion July Stimulus package.
To highlight the importance of supporting local businesses, pictures emerged of Leo Varadkar trying on shoes in Thomas Patrick, a retailer on Dublin’s Grafton Street.
In response to the pictures, tweeted "3 counties in lockdown, many businesses still closed, front line health staff at breaking point & high unemployment levels across the economy. And leo is trying on fashion shoes. Yes it is a backdrop to an announcement but these photo shoots scream out of touch"
Deputy Cullinane told WLR that he deleted the Tweet as many of the comments became a personal attack on politicians.
In response, the Tanaiste tweeted ‘Today Government announced details of the €300 million plus restart grant for SMEs to protect jobs and businesses and this is what we get from the 'best opposition in the history of the state'.
Deputy Cullinane will be speaking to Maria McCann on Deise Today at 11am this morning on WLRfm
