Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----even though there is no evidence to support that. Allegations are thrown around in a "make them deny it" sense. Conspiracy theories are put about because, of course, conspiracy theories require no proof. Innuendo is passed off as analysis or even fact. The Government was compared to Nazis by the deputy leader of the Labour Party and yet no sanctions or dissociation from his party or his leader have come, even though that leader demands the highest standards from others almost every day.

Why is this happening? Why does the Opposition have a relentless focus on public relations and communications? The reason is quite simple. Opposition Members do not want to talk about issues of substance. They do not want to talk about Project Ireland 2040 because they know it is a good piece of work and a good plan. They do not want to talk about budget 2018 because they know they would not reverse it. They do not want to talk about the welfare and pension increases coming into effect next week, which will benefit almost 2 million people. They do not want to talk about Brexit. They do not want to talk about the public sector pay deal. They do not want to talk about the most important work the Dáil did the week before last, which is the legislation on the abortion referendum and the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I could go on but I think it is obvious the Opposition has no substance, has few alternative policies and even fewer solutions. As there is no alternative to this Government, they just go on the attack instead.

See this speech in context