Varadkar resigns as Taoiseach for 'personal and political' reasons
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is stepping down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader with immediate effect for "personal and political" reasons.
He made the announcement in an emotional speech at Government buildings in the past few minutes.
Party leader leader since June 2017, Mr Varadkar said that a mark of a good leader is "knowing when the time has come to pass on the baton to someone else... that time is now".
The timing of his announcement allows the party to select a new leader before its Ard Fheis on April 16, with a new Taoiseach to be appointed after the Dáil Easter recess.
"There is never a right time to resign high office. However this is as good as any," said Mr Varadkar referencing the completion of Budget 2024, the reinstatement of the political institutions north of the border under the Good Friday Agreement and trading agreements with the UK.
He said that after "careful consideration and soul searching", he wanted to give his successor the "best chance possible" to lead the party into the next General Election.
"I don't feel I am the best person for that job anymore," he said.
Mr Varadkar said he felt he was leaving the country and economy in "a good place".
He referenced a number of achievements during his time as Taoiseach and party leader including bringing the country economically from a deficit to a surplus situation; coming through challenges around Brexit and the Pandemic; and most recently an inflation and cost of living crisis.
He also said how he was "proud" of his record in a number of areas including doubling housing construction and welcoming over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees to Ireland.
He acknowledged that the Government was "much less successful" in other areas which "sadly have gone backwards".
Struggling to contain his emotions, Mr Varadkar said he will remain as Dublin West TD for Fine Gael until the next General Election during which time he will consider his political and personal future.