LEO Varadkar is set to step down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader.
Flanked by several Fine Gael Ministers, Varadkar made the announcement at midday after meeting with Cabinet this morning.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Blair House in Washington DC, during his visit to the US for St Patrick’s DayNIALL CARSON PA MEDIA
Varadkar is set to confirm shock resignation at midday� 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
The announcement comes just days after his return from the US on the traditional St Patrick’s Day visit to meet with President Joe Biden in the White House.
Speculation had mounted over his future all morning after it was confirmed he’d brief the media at midday.
The 45-year-old had previously said he wouldn’t stay in politics beyond the age of 50.
It’s understood Varadkar will stay on as Taoiseach while a new leader of Fine Gael is elected. It’s not yet known if he’ll stay on as a TD after his bombshell announcement.
And several Fine Gael Ministers look set to contest for the leadership role, with Simon Coveney, Simon Harris and Paschal Donohoe all possibilities to enter the race.
Serving twice as Taoiseach, Varadkar was first elected to the Dail back in 2007.
Before that, the qualified GP was a member and Deputy Mayor of Fingal County Council – securing the largest personal vote in Ireland in the 2004 local elections.
Becoming leader of Fine Gael in 2017, the Blanchardstown native served as Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020, before returning to the role in December 2022.
Varadkar was Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as part of the current coalition government from June 2020 to December 2022, while Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin served as Taoiseach.
He also served as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport as well as as Minister for Health during his career.
Varadkar also re-registered as a doctor during the Covid-19 pandemic, working on frontline testing and also when the vaccination rollout commenced.
Varadkar last week brought US President Biden to tears when he paid tribute to his late son in a moving speech about leadership at the White House.
As part of the traditional shamrock ceremony, the Taoiseach and President Biden both gave speeches to a crowd of Irish Americans at the White House.
In a touching moment, the Taoiseach paid tribute to the President’s late son Beau Biden who passed away from cancer in 2015.
The Taoiseach said: “This week meeting so many proud Irish Americans about sacred promises and I’ve been thinking in particular of the words of one courageous Irish American, a lawyer and a decorated war hero who spoke so eloquently about the sacred promises we make as leaders.
“To quote his words: it is about the promises we make to our children who deserve a chance to succeed, the promises that we make to each other, the sacred promise to work for a better future for all – those were the words of Beau Biden.
“When we are elected to office we each make a sacred promise.
“To our communities, our party, our country, to ourselves. And we dedicate ourselves to honour it, not always succeeding, but always doing our best no matter how challenging the circumstances.”
The crowd at the White House shamrock ceremony burst into applause after the Taoiseach mentioned Beau Biden’s name and President Biden looked solemnly at the stage before wiping tears away from his eyes as he became emotional.
President Biden’s eldest son Beau was a politician and lawyer before he died of glioblastoma at the age of 46 in 2015.
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