Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar pays tribute to Eoghan Murphy

An Tánaiste and Leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar has paid tribute to party colleague Eoghan Murphy following Eoghan’s decision to leave politics and pursue a career at an international level.

The Tánaiste said: “I am very sorry, personally and professionally, to see Eoghan departing from national politics. He is a friend and a colleague in the party, and someone with whom I have worked alongside for many years.

“I was aware for some time that Eoghan was considering his career options, although I had hoped that he would stay in the Dáil, given his abilities, flair and talents.

“Eoghan has served as a Fine Gael TD for ten years and prior to that as a councillor in his constituency. His considerable electoral success in three successive general elections shows the high regard in which he is held by his community.

“He was one of the architects of the Dáil reforms that took place in 2016; he served as a Minister of State in the Department of Finance before being appointed to Cabinet in 2017.

“Eoghan took over the housing brief at a most difficult time. History will record that under his leadership, the provision of new social housing increased manifold and the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provided a mortgage to thousands of first-time buyers who otherwise would have got none.

“He drove the Housing First policy which has helped hundreds of people exit homelessness for good. I believe the Land Development Agency, which he established, will be seen as a decisive intervention in the housing market for the better, and the National Planning Framework has set out five major cities on a pathway to sustainable, compact growth.

“I wish Eoghan every success in his future career, and perhaps we may see him return to play a role in Ireland in the future.”