Retiring Minister Finian McGrath has said he thought he was talking in a “private capacity” with a journalist when he suggested Fianna Fáil will win the General Election. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mr McGrath said there was never any intention to deliberately be disloyal to the Government or Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who he said has been be extremely supportive of him. Mr McGrath was quoted in the Irish Daily Mail as saying he believed Fianna Fáil would win the election as things stand. “Fianna Fáil are going to be leading the Government, they will get 59 or 60 seats," said Mr McGrath. Mr Halligan, a highly popular politician had hoped to make his retirement announcement on his own terms, but his alliance colleague Shane Ross let slip on Tuesday that he would not be standing.

Source: Irish Examiner January 15, 2020 16:41 UTC