An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has demonstrated the softer, kinder side of Fine Gael by pledging to hand deliver a pair of novelty socks to all the nation’s homeless for Christmas.
“This time of year is for family and friends,” said Varadkar, “but we need also to remember those left with nothing, often through circumstances out of their control.”
Varadkar, who sported a pair of Rudolph socks with flashing red nose as he made the announcement, said that the homeless could choose between cheery Santa or snowman designs.
“Fine Gael wants to say that even if you’re an alcoholic or drug-addict sleeping in the gutter, you can still have a bit of fun and stay warm with your socks.”
Varadkar also announced an accompanying campaign #Smilewithyoursocks, which will encourage the grateful homeless to post pictures of their new socks to their social media accounts.
The Taoiseach countered suggestions that the scheme was an expensive folly by stating that the socks were a job lot of seconds he’d picked up from Penneys.
Varadkar also stated that in the unlikely event that a homeless person refused the socks they would receive a photo of Kylie Minogue personally stamped by the office of An Taoiseach.
Homeless charities cautiously welcomed the move but expressed hope that Varadkar would also provide something actually useful, like food or shelter.