Who is Leo Varadkar’s partner Matthew Barrett, when did he meet Ireland’s Taoiseach and do they have children?
Who is the cardiologist boyfriend of the Irish leader Leo Varadkar and when did they meet?
Leo Varadkar is Ireland’s first openly gay Taoseach and is in a relationship with Dr Matthew Barrett.
The pair are both interested in keeping fit and go on regular runs and hikes together.
Who is Matthew Barrett?
Dr Barrett is a cardiologist currently based in Chicago.
He previously worked in the cardiology department at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin where he is highly regarded for his work as a specialist registrar.
Medics in his field generally have to go overseas to get specialist training if they wish to become a consultant.
With the Atlantic Ocean between them, the pair keeps in contact via FaceTime.
They are said to be in a serious relationship although they are not married.
Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by a public vote in 2015.
The pair are said to have holidayed together and met each other’s families and even shared a joint birthday party.
Mr Varadkar celebrated his 38th birthday party at Dublin hipster bar Hacienda with friends, family and his other half.
The birthday duo were presented with a cake that had 'Happy Birthday Leo and Matt' written in icing.
So far they do not have any children.
When did he meet the Irish Taoiseach?
They have been in a relationship for around three years.
They have tended to keep their relationship out of the media spotlight.
During his campaign to become Irish leader he told one newspaper: “Matt is just a very special person. "Someone who is unconditionally on my side, which is always great.
“He is the kind of person who has made me a better person.
“I know I sound like bloody Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets, but it’s true.
“Matt is definitely cleverer than me, which occasionally I can find intimidating.
“He is very, very intelligent. He can read faster than me. He can do calculations faster than me. He is very bright. He is a Gaeilgeoir as well.
“And although he is not really party political, it is amazing how quickly he understands politics. He gets it really quickly.”
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Leo Varadkar dealt Theresa May a fresh blow by refusing to negotiate Brexit during her Dublin visit.
was also accused of contradicting himself ahead of the PM’s arrival in the Irish capital for dinner with him.
Mr Varadkar snapped at suggestions that Mrs May is trying to go behind his back to Brussels chiefs and enforce legal changes to the controversial Irish backstop to ensure it is only temporary.
He declared: “I am the European Union when it comes to these matters. The Irish Government and the EU are all one when it comes to Brexit.
“If people haven’t realised that over the past three years, they are coming to realise it now.”
But moments later, he insisted actual negotiations “can only be between the European Union and the United Kingdom”, not the two leaders.
Instead, he would only “share perspectives” with Mrs May during the dinner at his country retreat.