Leo Varadkar resigns as Taoiseach

"Leading the country has been the "most fulfilling time of my life"

Leo Varadkar has resigned as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader.

Mr Varadkar made  the announcement at Government Buildings this lunchtime.

It had been reported this morning that a major announcement was to be expected with uncertainty over his future.

"My reasons for stepping down are both personal and political." Mr Varadkar said.

"I believe the re-election of this three party Government will be the right thing for the future of our country,"

"After careful consideration, and some soul searching, I believe a new Taoiseach will be better placed than me to achieve that.

He added that "after seven years in office, I don't feel I'm the best person for that job anymore".

Leo Varadkar was first elected as a TD to Dublin West in 2007. He held Ministerial roles in health and sport, before becoming Taoiseach in 2017, after beating Simon Coveney in a party leadership election.

Following the 2020 election, he remained Taoiseach and formed a Government with Fianna Fail and the Green Party, while he and Fianna Fail Leader Michael Martin would rotate the role.

Previously, the Dublin West TD had admitted it was going to be difficult for his party to contest elections this year, with a General Election likely to follow local and European elections this summer.

Yesterday, Ciaran Cannon became the tenth deputy to announce he would not be contesting the election.

The Taoiseach has also come under mounting pressure on the back of a failed referendum campaign, and it has been mooted that a leadership challenge may arise within Fine Gael.