A spokesperson for the Taoiseach has issued a statement to explain why he visited a male-only site during his visit to Axum in northern Ethiopia, while female members of his delegation were required to wait outside. A statement from the Taoiseach’s spokesperson said: "The Taoiseach was brought to the religious sites at Axum by the mayor which includes a monastery. "The Taoiseach and Irish Government imposes no such rules when it comes to properties owned by the Irish State and does not support such rules." During his final day he also visited social safety net programmes which receive Irish support and a honey-making co-operative. In particular greater democracy, greater freedom, greater security and greater economic opportunity for them so that they don’t feel they have to leave their homes," said Mr Varadkar.

Source: Ethiopian News January 12, 2019 16:05 UTC