Varadkar wears 'Shamrock Poppy' in Dáil chamber

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wearing a Shamrock Poppy in the Dáil, similar to the one pictured inset

Kevin Doyle Twitter Email

November 08 2017 02:30 AM

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wore a 'Shamrock Poppy' in the Dáil to "recognise Irish soldiers who fought in World War I".

The move is a first for the leader of Fine Gael and is likely to spark debate over how the Irishmen and women who served in the British army are remembered.

Shamrock Poppy pin

Mr Varadkar's predecessor Enda Kenny broke new ground in 2012 when he took part in a Remembrance Day event - but he declined to wear the poppy.

The emblem worn by the Taoiseach shows a poppy laid on top of a shamrock and was supplied by the Irish branch of the Royal Legion.

A spokesperson for Mr Varadkar said: "It was commissioned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War by the Irish branch of the Royal British Region to remember the 206,000 Irishmen that fought, 26,500 of whom died in battle."

Proceeds from the badge go to Irish veterans and their families.