Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar have been criticised for jetting off to the luxury resort of Davos to “party” at the World Economic Forum.
And Solidarity TD, Paul Murphy, said there should be “a question mark” over why both the country’s leaders are heading off to the business bash.
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste will join the world’s richest people, leading businessmen, bankers, representatives of Big Tech and politicians at the ultimate networking event.
Read More: Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar to jet off to Davos for World Economic Forum
Our Taoiseach and Tánaiste will be mixing it at the Swiss ski resort with fellow leaders from over 50 other countries from all around the world.
However, their attendance was criticised by Solidarity/People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy, on Tuesday.
He said: “Davos is a gathering place of the elites in the world, the real elites, in terms of the wealthy, bankers, political representatives.
“The decisions made in Davos are not made in the interests of ordinary people.”
Mr Murphy added: “If we had a left government in this country we would be having a very alternative type of summit involving trade unionists, small farmers, representatives of ordinary people around the world, as opposed to partying with the rich.
“So, certainly, I think there’s a question mark over why we would have both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste going over to Davos.”
The theme of this year’s meeting is ‘History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies.’
The Taoiseach said before flying out to Switzerland: “the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is an important opportunity to outline Ireland’s perspectives on the global and European challenges we now face, including Russia’s immoral war on Ukraine and its consequences – including for energy and food security – and the increasing economic pressure of inflation and its impact on the cost of living for people around the world. “Throughout my engagements, I will stress the fundamental principles that underpin Ireland’s approach, including our commitment to an open, sustainable, fair and rules-based international order, which can support economic recovery and global political accountability."
A spokesman added that “on Wednesday, the Taoiseach will participate in a live high-level panel debate on how the EU has responded with speed, scale and unity on the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“Among those joining him on the panel will be President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, ECB President, Christine Lagarde, as well as the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Slovakia.
“During his visit, he will meet bilaterally with a number of political leaders and with senior executives from multinational companies with significant operations and employment in Ireland.”
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