Matt Cooper: the political players to watch in 2024

Nothing is certain for the main actors in the year ahead, with Leo Varadkar at risk of becoming a lame duck leader, Mary Lou McDonald in danger of losing out, and questions over Micheál Martin, Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath’s next moves

Analysis & Opinion
Leo Varadkar
Micheal Martin
Mary Lou McDonald
Eamon Ryan
Paschal Donohoe
Michael McGrath

Matt Cooper
December 31, 2023

Facing uncertainty: (back row, from left) Pascal Donohue, Ivana Bacik, Stephen Donnelly and Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill; (middle row) Michael McGrath, Leo Varadkar, Eamon Ryan and Holly Cairns; (front row) Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald, Michael D Higgins and Simon Harris

Leo Varadkar

The incumbent Taoiseach is always the first person who should be on any list of this nature. One of Leo Varadkar’s big problems is that an assumption is developing that he will lose the next general election, which risks him becoming a lame duck leader, marking time in the interim until he hands over power.

The Fine Gael leader has only himself to blame. He has not made the impression on his return ...